Chapter 235: Qian Renxue: The first rule after landing ashore, the benefactor must be slain!
"I saw through it long ago. Spirit Hall is by no means a simple soul master organization but a colossal force aiming to overturn the two great empires and unify the continent."
Ning Fengzhi's gaze drifted out the window again. His tone was calm yet carried a clarity that seemed to see through everything.
"It establishes branch halls not merely to gather wandering soul masters but to plant its own spies and influence within the territories of the two great empires."
Spirit Hall was currently holding back.
Not because it lacked strength, but because it was waiting for the right moment.
Waiting for the rift between the Upper Three Sects and the two great empires to deepen.
Waiting for them to exhaust themselves through internal strife and then make their move.
After that, it would deal with the Upper Three Sects and the two great empires one by one, breaking them individually.
His thoughts drifted back to events from ten years ago.
Spirit Hall had already begun secretly supporting regional feudal lords within the two great empires.
It sowed discord between sects and empires and even secretly eliminated those stubborn lone soul masters who refused to submit.
At that time, he already knew that the peace the continent had maintained for over a hundred years would not last much longer.
This slumbering giant beast, Spirit Hall, would one day open its blood-soaked maw and devour the entire continent.
Qian Renxue bowed again. "Qinghe will remember the teacher's teachings. The teacher's vision is far-reaching. It was Qinghe who thought too shallowly."
Her words were extremely respectful, as if she had engraved every sentence Ning Fengzhi spoke into her heart.
But inwardly, she thought, 'This old fox Ning Fengzhi cannot be left alive in the future!'
The support capabilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were recognized as top-tier across the continent.
With their assistance, a Titled Douluo could double their strength.
A force like this, if it could not be used by Spirit Hall, must be eradicated before it could react, leaving no future trouble.
Moreover, from Ning Fengzhi's tone, he clearly intended to oppose Spirit Hall to the end.
Ning Fengzhi gave a slight nod.
"Now, the original balance of power on the continent is on the verge of collapse. No force can remain untouched."
"The balance that once existed, where the two great empires together with the three sects restrained Spirit Hall, is rapidly disintegrating."
Ning Fengzhi lightly twirled the teacup between his fingers again.
"The Clear Sky Sect has gone into seclusion, avoiding conflict. It has closed its mountain for years. Few even know its exact location, let alone form an alliance to resist enemies."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, though powerful, is far in the south, thousands of miles away from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Even transmitting information takes several days."
"The united defensive line of the Upper Three Sects has long existed in name only."
Qian Renxue sat on her chair, listening attentively, nodding in agreement from time to time.
Yet inwardly, she was rather disdainful.
Daring to say Spirit Hall was overly ambitious, this old fox Ning Fengzhi truly had no shame.
Over the years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had expanded its influence and accumulated wealth under the support of the Heaven Dou Empire. Did it not have ambition?
It was just that Ning Fengzhi hid it well, unlike Spirit Hall, which placed its ambitions openly on the table.
Of course, the most important point was that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not strong enough.
Still, she had to admit that Ning Fengzhi's judgment was indeed accurate.
What Spirit Hall intended was to shatter this balance first.
To turn the two great empires and the Upper Three Sects into scattered sand.
Then defeat them one by one.
And she, Qian Renxue, was the most crucial piece in breaking this balance.
As long as she could successfully ascend the throne and become the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, the entire Heaven Dou Empire would fall into Spirit Hall's hands.
At that time, the balance would completely collapse.
Spirit Hall unifying the continent would only be a matter of time.
Ning Fengzhi did not notice the fleeting disdain in Qian Renxue's eyes.
He continued his analysis, lost in thought:
"The internal state of the Heaven Dou Empire is weak. Princes fight for succession, the court is divided, the treasury is empty, military preparedness is lax, and even the royal soul master corps has not experienced proper warfare for many years."
"Though the Star Luo Empire is strong and far surpasses the Heaven Dou Empire in military strength, it has long-standing discord with the Heaven Dou Empire."
"For hundreds of years, minor conflicts along their borders have never ceased. They simply cannot unite as one."
"As long as Spirit Hall stirs things slightly, it can make the two nations distrust and guard against each other, eventually dividing and destroying them one by one."
"This is Spirit Hall's most proficient method."
Sometimes Ning Fengzhi wondered, could it be that the two great empires and the various sects truly failed to see Spirit Hall's ambition?
Would it not be better to unite early and eliminate Spirit Hall?
Over the years, Spirit Hall had repeatedly stirred up trouble along the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, deepening their contradictions.
All for the sake of preventing them from joining forces at critical moments.
When Spirit Hall truly took action against one side, the other would merely watch from across the river or even take advantage of the situation, never offering help.
"..."
After listening, Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes at Ning Fengzhi's face, then instantly shifted into a look of confusion.
She asked earnestly, "Teacher speaks with reason in every word."
"Qinghe wishes to ask, in your opinion, with chaos approaching, what should we do to secure our footing in this turbulent era?"
Qian Renxue wanted to know which path this old fox, Ning Fengzhi, intended to take and where he planned to lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi set down his teacup.
His expression became especially solemn.
"Qinghe, I believe we must face a common threat. The greater picture must always take precedence over internal strife."
"The ranking disputes among the Upper Three Sects, the border frictions between the two great empires, even the struggle for succession within the imperial court, are insignificant compared to the catastrophic threat posed by Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi's voice echoed through the vast hall.
"Only by standing united, setting aside all internal conflict and division, and twisting together as one force, can we withstand Spirit Hall's offensive and avoid being destroyed one by one."
He paused, then changed his tone. "My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has stood on this continent for over a hundred years. What allowed us to establish ourselves was never opportunism but assessing the situation and choosing the correct side."
"Just as our sect now stands with the Heaven Dou Empire."
There was a gentle certainty in his voice, as if reassuring Qian Renxue.
"The stability of the Heaven Dou Empire is the stability of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Your Highness is the empire's future crown prince, the future ruler of Heaven Dou. Naturally, I and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stand with Your Highness."
Ning Fengzhi believed that what Xue Qinghe desired most was the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
And in his view, among the princes competing for succession, only Xue Qinghe possessed the most stable temperament.
He had the farthest vision and was most suited to become the future emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Supporting his disciple Xue Qinghe would not only secure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's core position in the future imperial court but also allow the Heaven Dou Empire to end its internal strife sooner, unite as one, and jointly face the threat of Spirit Hall.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's face instantly lit up with joy.
She quickly stood up and gave Ning Fengzhi a deep bow, her tone filled with excitement and gratitude.
"Thank you, teacher, for your trust!"
"Qinghe will not fail the teacher and the sect's expectations. I will do everything in my power to safeguard the Heaven Dou Empire!"
Her voice trembled slightly, as if she were truly moved by Ning Fengzhi's trust.
But in her heart, she had already taken note of his words, and killing intent began to rise.
Since he chose to stand on Heaven Dou Empire's side, it meant he would never allow Spirit Hall to overturn the Heaven Dou Empire.
When Spirit Hall raised its armies in the future, Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would inevitably become one of its greatest obstacles.
This person, and the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, could not be left alive.
Once she successfully ascended the throne and seized control of the Heaven Dou Empire's military power, the first thing she would do would be to join forces with Spirit Hall and annihilate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, eradicating all future troubles.
End of Chapter
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