At this moment, four more figures arrived.
They were Ning Fengzhi and three newly promoted Title Douluo elders of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, who had arrived slightly late.
"So, tell me—what kind of trouble have you caused this time?"
Seeing that Chu Chengzhou was unharmed, Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh of relief and immediately asked.
Even if he thought about it with his toes, he could easily deduce that tonight's incident must have been triggered by Chu Chengzhou angering the Star Luo Empire again.
"Uh, haven't you received the news yet? Seems like the spies of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect aren't very professional!"
Clicking his tongue, Chu Chengzhou said.
Dai Yutian had been dead for several days already. Even though Star Luo City was thousands of miles away from Tian Dou City, the fact that Ning Fengzhi hadn't received the news yet was enough to demonstrate the lack of professionalism in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's intelligence system.
Hmm, at the very least, their intelligence capabilities outside of Tian Dou Empire were lacking.
"Should I know about this? Did you kill off another group of Star Luo imperial family experts?"
Raising an eyebrow, Ning Fengzhi asked.
In Ning Fengzhi's view, the reason the Star Luo Empire was provoked again was likely because Chu Chengzhou had killed even more high-ranking members of the Star Luo imperial family.
Moreover, ever since Chu Chengzhou became a thorn in their side, the Star Luo Empire had indeed been plagued by misfortune over the past few years, with their experts dying faster than they could cultivate new ones.
"I killed Dai Yutian."
Rubbing his chin, Chu Chengzhou replied.
"What? Dai Yutian?!"
Instantly, Ning Fengzhi and the other six widened their eyes.
While ordinary people might not know the name of the Star Luo Emperor, how could they not?
If even the emperor had been assassinated, it was no wonder the Star Luo Empire reacted so strongly.
"Good grief, no wonder the Star Luo Empire sent eleven Title-level experts. Turns out you've gone and killed their emperor! No wonder they're retaliating against you at all costs."
Chen Xin sighed as he spoke.
"Cough cough, well, Sword Grandpa, allow me to correct you—it wasn't eleven, but thirteen. Eight Nether White Tigers and five individual Title Douluos."
Clearing his throat, Chu Chengzhou corrected him.
The six: "…"
"What were you thinking?"
After a long pause, Ning Fengzhi, regaining his composure, asked gravely.
"What do you mean, 'what was I thinking?'"
Chu Chengzhou blinked in confusion.
"Thirteen Title Douluo-level experts. Even if they don't represent the entirety of the Star Luo Empire's hidden strength, they certainly represent the vast majority of it.
Losing so many experts will inevitably cause internal turmoil within the empire, even without intervention from other forces.
And if other forces, such as the Spirit Hall, intervene, then the Star Luo Empire is doomed. Do you have any thoughts on this?"
Ning Fengzhi didn't care whether Chu Chengzhou was pretending or not—he just bluntly asked.
Chu Chengzhou shook his head and said, "No particular thoughts. I'm responsible for killing, not cleaning up. If you have any ideas, go discuss them with Brother Qinghe or Old Man Xue Ye.
But if there's anything I can do to help, feel free to ask.
Not to brag, but unless 'Invincible of the Sky' of the Spirit Hall shows up, I'm not afraid of anyone on this continent."
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou patted his chest confidently.
Hmm, whenever someone says "Not to brag," they're definitely bragging.
The fall of the Star Luo Empire would inevitably become a feast for the vultures.
There weren't many major powers on the continent: the Spirit Hall, the two empires, and the top three sects.
As for the rest, like the lower four sects, they had large numbers of people but currently lacked even a single Title Douluo, so they couldn't be considered true major powers.
The Hao Tian Sect had secluded itself from worldly affairs, refusing to participate in continental matters. With the Star Luo Empire being the cake, the only factions qualified to sit at the table and share it were the Spirit Hall, the Tian Dou Empire, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
Among these, the Tian Dou Empire and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect were allies. Due to the different types of power they wielded, their interests aligned perfectly—the Tian Dou Empire wanted land and people, while the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wanted resources and money.
These four factions were the ones qualified to divide the cake. However, this time, there would be no share for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family unless they could defeat the combined forces of the Spirit Hall, the Tian Dou Empire, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi had guessed Chu Chengzhou's intentions. After confirming that he had no plans to declare himself emperor, Ning Fengzhi intended to use him as leverage when dividing the spoils of the Star Luo Empire, ensuring that the Tian Dou Empire, which shared interests with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, would secure a larger piece of the pie.
However, what Ning Fengzhi didn't know was that even though the Star Luo Empire hadn't fallen yet, the division of this cake had already been decided long ago. Even if Chu Chengzhou didn't fight for it, the share belonging to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't be reduced by a single crumb.
Because the cake of the Star Luo Empire belonged to Qian Renxue. As the heir of the Spirit Hall, the newly appointed Tian Dou Emperor, and the personal disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's leader, Qian Renxue alone represented the interests of the Spirit Hall, the Tian Dou Empire, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
After the Star Luo Empire was annexed by the Tian Dou Empire, all the privileges the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect enjoyed in the original Tian Dou territory would also extend into the new territories.
It could be said that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was being carried along for the ride.
"'Unless Invincible of the Sky appears, I'm not afraid of anyone on this continent?'"
Ning Fengzhi admitted that Chu Chengzhou had successfully fooled him.
However, his son-in-law's words weren't entirely baseless. Even if there was some exaggeration, it wasn't far from the truth.
After all, even Nether White Tigers with strength comparable to Level 97 Title Douluos had been slain. Aside from 'Invincible of the Sky' Qian Daoliu and the long-missing 'Invincible of the Land' Tang Chen, how many people on the continent could truly stand up to this fine son-in-law of his?
The Spirit Hall's second elder, Jin E Douluo, with a soul power level of 98? The Pope Bibi Dong with her twin martial souls? Tang Hao, who once wreaked havoc in the Spirit Hall during the Soul Master Tournament?
Aside from them, there was no one else. And in a few years, this fine son-in-law of his might even be able to challenge Qian Daoliu.
"'My judgment back then was truly impeccable!'"
Looking at Chu Chengzhou before him, Ning Fengzhi thought to himself with quiet satisfaction.
Why had he agreed to let his precious daughter follow Chu Chengzhou back then?
Wasn't it because of his keen insight, seeing that although the young man was somewhat of a playboy, his future achievements would be extraordinary?
A father-in-law looks at his son-in-law—the more he looks, the more satisfied he becomes!
"Having caused such a commotion, tonight will undoubtedly be sleepless.
Three elders, you may return first! Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone, come with me to the palace."
Ning Fengzhi instructed Chen Xin and the others.
What for?
With the Star Luo Empire losing so many experts, turning from a fierce tiger into a crippled shrimp, it was the perfect time to press the advantage and eliminate them completely.
He needed to quickly discuss plans with Emperor Xueye to seize the opportunity and swallow the Star Luo Empire before the Spirit Hall realized what was happening.
"Mm."
Chen Xin and the others nodded.
Subsequently, the three Title Douluo elders returned to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, while Ning Fengzhi took Chen Xin and Gu Rong to the Tian Dou Palace.
"Tsk, I wonder if my sharp-witted father-in-law will discover something amiss?"
Watching the retreating figures of Ning Fengzhi and the others, Chu Chengzhou thought to himself.
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