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Leaving the solemn living room and stepping into the sunlight, Ning Fengzhi's expression returned to its usual warmth and composure, as if the rejection and slight embarrassment moments ago had never happened. As the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had long since cultivated the ability to be transparent to his own emotions.
He calmly adjusted his clothes and sighed lightly to Sword Douluo and Xue Qinghe, his voice tinged with genuine regret:
"What a pity… The Body Sect's strength is formidable. If they joined the ranks of the Upper Three Sects and regained their power, it would greatly curb Spirit Hall's expansion. That would be a blessing not only for my Heaven Dou Empire but for the entire continent's soul master world."
"Unfortunately, His Excellency seems uninterested."
He still spoke as if considering the greater good, masking his calculations.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin nodded lightly, saying little. He was loyal to the sword and not skilled in intrigue, but felt Ning Fengzhi's plan this time was a bit too wishful.
Prince Xue Qinghe smiled modestly, replying:
"Teacher is right. With the rise of the Body Sect, the situation on the mainland will only grow more complicated. We must think long-term."
Each with their own thoughts, the three walked through Grand Martial Academy for a while before politely parting ways.
Xue Qinghe returned to the royal quarters, and as soon as he entered the courtyard, someone pounced on him like a frightened rabbit, clutching his arm tightly.
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly at the force.
It was the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng.
At this moment, Xue Beng had lost all his former arrogance. His face was pale, eyes unfocused, hair disheveled, and his once-luxurious prince's robe was dirty with dust—he looked utterly disheveled. As if clutching his last hope, he pleaded, voice trembling with tears and terror:
"Brother! Did you see that Grand Elder? What did he say? Such a great man must have a heart as broad as the sky—he wouldn't care about a small fry like me, right?"
"Right? You spoke for me, didn't you?"
Xue Beng well knew in his heart that back in Heaven Dou City, he had shown killing intent toward Chen Yi. Now that Chen Yi's true identity had been revealed—someone even his father was desperate to befriend, the Young Sect Master of the Body Sect, now far more powerful—the prince's little tricks and strength were nothing in their eyes.
His only hope now was that the bigshots would see him as no more than a bug and let him go.
Xue Qinghe looked at Xue Beng's desperate, tearful face, undisguised disgust flashing in his eyes. Maintaining his princely demeanor, he extricated his arm with difficulty, straightened his wrinkled sleeve, and said flatly:
"Fourth brother, calm yourself. This matter… will be handled by the Heaven Dou royal family."
"Hand… handled by ourselves?"
Xue Beng froze as if struck by lightning, his face draining of color, eyes filled with utter hopelessness.
Handled by themselves—these four words were a death sentence.
He knew all too well that his father, Emperor Xue Ye, would not hesitate to sacrifice him for the empire's stability and the chance to befriend the Body Sect—the favored target of the great power.
After a brief silence, Xue Beng suddenly looked up, eyes bloodshot, glaring at Xue Qinghe with a face full of madness and hatred, roaring:
"It's you! It must be you! You didn't help me plead, did you?! You want me dead! You're truly heartless, Xue Qinghe!"
"Don't think I don't know—at that time, second brother and third brother also…"
"Enough!"
Xue Qinghe's face darkened, cutting him off and giving the guards an order:
"His Highness the Fourth Prince is overwhelmed with grief and confusion. Escort him to rest. No one disturbs me without my command!"
Several strong royal guards immediately stepped forward, ignoring Xue Beng's resistance and curses, forcibly dragging him out of the courtyard.
Xue Qinghe watched the direction in which Xue Beng disappeared, eyes icy cold. She felt no pity for this foolish and now utterly worthless "younger brother." She knew well that Xue Beng's return to Heaven Dou would never end well. At least now, she was free from the rightful but stupid heir.
After dealing with Xue Beng's farce, Xue Qinghe returned to her room, sat in a soft velvet-backed chair, and closed her eyes as if resting. But her fingers unconsciously tapped the smooth sandalwood table—tap, tap—betraying her inner unrest.
Before long, a faint ripple of soul power flickered in the shadows of the room, and a ghostly figure quietly appeared. This person, disguised as a Heaven Dou Imperial Guard, had sharp eyes and steady breath, assigned to protect her.
Snake Lance Douluo bowed his head and whispered, "Young Master."
Xue Qinghe didn't open her eyes, only gave a faint hum in reply. He briefly reported Ning Fengzhi's attempts in the living room to win over the Body Sect, claiming to stand as one of the three great sects and to unite against the Spirit Hall.
Hearing this, Snake Lance Douluo could not hide his ridicule, sneering:
"Ning Fengzhi, he really doesn't know his own limits. He wants to drive the tiger and swallow the wolf, make our Spirit Hall and the Body Sect fight to the death while his sect reaps the profit. Pure wishful thinking!"
He paused and asked, "Young Master, this is no small matter. Should I report it to the Grand Worship immediately?"
Xue Qinghe slowly opened her eyes and shook her head, replying with certainty:
"No need. Wisdom Brain Douluo harbors great disgust and contempt for Ning Fengzhi and the entire Seven Treasure Sect. There will never be an alliance—Ning Fengzhi's efforts this time are wasted."
Snake Lance Douluo nodded, confident in his young master's judgment. He whispered a few more words about the movements of other forces in Martial City. Seeing no further instructions, he melted silently into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.
The room fell silent once more.
Xue Qinghe sat alone, gazing out the window toward the heart of Grand Martial Academy. Deep within her gentle eyes was a calm, emotionless depth, as if she were watching a chess game wholly unrelated to herself.
No one knew what this "prince" of Heaven Dou Empire was thinking or plotting.
Even Xue Qinghe herself and the lurking Snake Lance Douluo failed to notice the faint shimmer of light, almost merging with the shadows, that flickered strangely within the folds of Xue Qinghe's ornate robes—then vanished completely, leaving not a ripple.
…
At the same time, deep within Grand Martial Academy, in the Grand Elder's secluded chamber.
The room, once tranquil with a faint sandalwood scent, was suddenly disrupted by a terrifying storm of spiritual power.
Boom!!
The cross-legged Grand Elder's eyes snapped open—not with their usual calmness, but with uncontrollable, icy killing intent. His vast soul power exploded with a spiritual compulsion, like a flood bursting through a dam!
Everything in the room shattered to dust under the terrifying force. Even the walls and floor showed cracks.
The Grand Elder's aura was overwhelming, his gaze piercing through the void, fixing on the direction of Xue Qinghe.
…
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