Xue Qinghe's Visit, the Rivalry Between Two Great Sects

Over the next few days.

Tang Xuan, who had been working hard for over a year, finally got some rest.

As Chen Xin put it, cultivation required a proper balance between work and rest.

Diligence was certainly good, but winding oneself too tight would do more harm than good.

Tang Xuan agreed with that wholeheartedly. After all, only the exhausted knew how exhausting it was.

He spent every day taking leisurely walks, sleeping in, and teasing Ning Rongrong.

He only meditated when he was bored.

Life was simply blissful.

That night.

A dull knock on the door woke Tang Xuan from his deep sleep.

Tang Xuan lazily opened the door and found Ning Rongrong standing outside with a gloomy expression. "Rong Rong? What's wrong? Who upset you again?"

"Hmph, Father, of course." Ning Rongrong puffed out her little cheeks. "I wanted to hear you tell stories, but Father called us to the main hall. It's so annoying."

Tang Xuan could not help laughing.

Ning Fengzhi's standing in Ning Rongrong's heart really had fallen lower and lower.

"Let's go have a look. You can listen to stories anytime. Maybe Uncle Ning has something important to discuss," Tang Xuan said comfortingly.

With that, Tang Xuan pulled the pouting Ning Rongrong toward the main hall.

Inside the main hall.

All three pillars of the Seven Treasures were present.

What surprised Tang Xuan, however, was a young man who appeared to be around twenty.

He was dressed extravagantly and carried himself with refined elegance.

His smile was as gentle as water. Anyone who saw him would praise him as a handsome young gentleman.

But when Tang Xuan's gaze fell upon the jade pendant engraved with the character "Xue" at the young man's waist.

His heart immediately sank.

Using the Heaven Dou Empire's royal surname as a symbol of identity.

And appearing here in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The young man's identity was obvious.

He was naturally Ning Fengzhi's only disciple.

And the Heaven Dou Empire's new Crown Prince—the ultimate sucker—Xue Qinghe.

"Grandpa, Uncle Ning, Grandpa Bone." Tang Xuan greeted them one by one.

Ning Rongrong followed his example.

Under Tang Xuan's influence, the Little Witch from the Original Work had truly vanished without a trace.

Knowing proper etiquette was only a minor matter.

Understanding priorities and knowing how to respect others were the real changes.

"Xiao Xuan, Rong Rong, you came at just the right time. I have something to discuss with you, but before that, I'd like to introduce a friend." Ning Fengzhi smiled and led Xue Qinghe before them. "This is my newly accepted disciple, as well as the current Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, Xue Qinghe."

Because of Tang Xuan's background.

The three pillars had always protected Tang Xuan exceptionally well.

Over the years, they had never allowed him to appear before the public.

Now that Tang Xuan's martial soul was not the Clear Sky Hammer, and he no longer acknowledged his identity as a member of the Clear Sky Sect.

Whether he was exposed or not no longer mattered much.

So it really is him. Tang Xuan's eyes narrowed.

There were no maids around Xue Qinghe.

Qian Renxue had presumably already replaced him.

But Tang Xuan had no intention of exposing her.

An undercover agent hidden in the shadows was an undercover agent.

One exposed in plain sight was merely a chess piece.

"Tang Xuan greets His Highness the Crown Prince." Tang Xuan bowed properly.

The Crown Prince's status was not low.

Even without any cultivation, his standing was comparable to that of a Titled Douluo's descendant.

Tang Xuan truly did not understand why imperial authority held such enormous influence even in a fantasy world.

"There is no need for such formality. I am Teacher's disciple, so I can be considered one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well. If you do not mind, call me Brother Xue." Xue Qinghe smiled gently.

He was entirely unaffected by Tang Xuan's surname.

After all, there were countless people with the Tang surname in the world. Who could guarantee they were from the Clear Sky Sect?

And even if he was, it would be impossible for him to appear in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Then I'll gladly accept, Brother Xue." Tang Xuan appeared calm, but inwardly, he was filled with helplessness.

He truly did not want anything to do with Qian Renxue. That woman was a complete idiot.

But if he opposed her directly, it might instead trigger her rebellious nature.

"Mm, neither humble nor overbearing. The bearing of a strong man has already begun to show." Xue Qinghe praised him generously. "In that case, I'll call you Xuan Bro?"

As he spoke.

Xue Qinghe took out an item and handed it to Tang Xuan. "This is my Crown Prince Token. Whoever holds it is as if I were personally present. Its status is second only to His Majesty. Consider it a gift from your Big Brother."

His Innate Full Soul Power talent was worth winning over.

"Uh, thank you, Brother Xue." Tang Xuan hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

Although this damn token was of little use to him.

It faintly carried an implication of "submission."

Perhaps this would make Xue Qinghe.

And Spirit Hall behind him lower their guard against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Thus buying Tang Xuan time to grow stronger.

At this sight.

Xue Qinghe's smile deepened.

The way he looked at Tang Xuan was as though he were looking at prey.

A chill ran through Tang Xuan's heart, and he quickly changed the subject. "Uncle Ning, what did you call Rong Rong and me here for?"

Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance with Chen Xin, then sighed softly.

"Before you arrived, Qinghe told me that Yu Tianheng, the designated Young Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, has already entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy to study."

"In my view, this is likely a signal from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan that it intends to choose a side..."

As Tang Xuan listened, understanding gradually dawned on him.

Blue Lightning and Seven Treasures both belonged to the great sects.

No matter how pleasant their talk of shared prosperity sounded, it could not change the essence of their rivalry.

The increasingly weakened giant known as the Heaven Dou Empire.

Was a prize the sects were determined to claim.

If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seized Xue Ye's favor from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The blow to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be immense.

In the end, it was all about profit.

"So, Uncle Ning, you want Rong Rong and me to enroll in Imperial Dou and stomp that Yu Tianheng beneath our feet?" Tang Xuan asked bluntly.

He made no attempt to put on a polite front.

"Ahem, whether you stomp him or not is not the important part. The main thing is that you two should also find an academy for systematic study." Ning Fengzhi looked slightly embarrassed.

That was indeed what he meant, but Tang Xuan had put it far too bluntly...

As expected of Uncle Jian's grandson. That bluntness that disregarded everyone else's feelings truly came from the same mold.

"So no matter what, we're going to make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's name known at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, right?" Tang Xuan said with a curl of his lip.

Ning Fengzhi was still the same old fox, always speaking in circles.

Still.

This matter concerned two great sects, perhaps even the interests of an entire empire.

It was simply too sensitive.

And there was an outsider present.

So it was understandable that Ning Fengzhi was careful with his words.

"Uh, that's right." Ning Fengzhi admitted helplessly. "I've already discussed it with Uncle Jian. All that remains is to hear your and Rong Rong's opinions. What do you think...?"

"I have no objections," Tang Xuan replied without hesitation.

He had no interest in playing some "fight for favor" game.

But he could not forget that Heaven Dou Royal Academy still had two treasure-delivering boys.

If he did not intercept them first, was he supposed to hand the god-making site, the Mandarin Duck Pot, over to Tang San?

Hearing Tang Xuan agree.

The joy on Ning Fengzhi's face flashed away, and he turned his gaze toward his daughter. "Rong Rong, what about you?"

But before Ning Rongrong could answer.

Ning Fengzhi slapped his forehead and said helplessly, "Forget it. That was a pointless question..."

Ever since entering the main hall and greeting everyone, the girl had been glued to Tang Xuan like an accessory.

The two were practically stuck together.

And with Ning Rongrong's strange condition of being unable to sleep without Tang Xuan.

Naturally, wherever Tang Xuan went, she would go.

Sure enough.

Ning Rongrong smiled shyly and tightened her hold on Tang Xuan's arm.

Her actions gave the answer.