Annihilation of the Clear Sky Sect!

Qian Renxue's face flushed so deeply it seemed as if it might drip water. Shyly, she leaned her head against Gu Sheng's shoulder, tightened her arms around his neck, and whispered in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's hum:

"Then... then once we return to the bedchamber, husband, you may do as you please, alright? We are in the carriage, and there are so many soldiers following outside..."

Gu Sheng was, of course, merely teasing her; he had no real intention of doing anything inside the carriage. He stroked her smooth, long hair and sighed softly.

"Very well, I shall spare you for now, you little tormentor."

The Dragon Carriage traveled steadily, and before long, it passed through the towering gates of Heaven Dou City, entering the heavily guarded Imperial Palace.

When the Dragon Carriage came to a halt before the Empress's bedchamber, Gu Sheng did not wait for the eunuchs to lift the curtain. He scooped up Qian Renxue and strode out of the carriage.

Seeing this, the surrounding maids and guards knelt in succession, bowing their heads low. Not a single person dared to look up at such a moment.

Qian Renxue let out a small cry, instinctively wrapping her arms around Gu Sheng's neck and burying her face in his chest. Although she had ascended the throne as Empress, in front of her husband, she deeply enjoyed the feeling of being completely controlled and protected by him.

Gu Sheng carried her into the bedchamber and kicked the heavy doors shut with his heel.

Upon entering the inner sanctum, the air was filled with a faint scent of Ambergris, mingled with the unique fragrance of Qian Renxue's skin, creating an intoxicating atmosphere.

Gu Sheng laid her down on the wide Dragon Bed draped in crimson silk, then leaned over her, bracing his hands on either side of her body as he looked down at her.

"Your Majesty, we are home now. May your subject do as he pleases?"

Qian Renxue lay on the soft bed, her brilliant golden hair fanned out across the red silk like a waterfall, looking bewitching. She gazed up at Gu Sheng, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"Today on the battlefield, husband, you were so imposing that I... I was actually a little afraid."

Qian Renxue spoke suddenly, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible vulnerability.

Gu Sheng paused slightly, his palm gently stroking her flawless, fair cheek.

"Afraid of what? Afraid that Chen Xin might hurt me?"

"No."

Qian Renxue shook her head, a faint mist of tears welling up in her golden eyes.

"I am afraid that you are too powerful. Husband, you were never truly a person of this world. Today, watching you unleash the Second Seal and appear like a god descending to earth, I suddenly felt as though you were very far away from me. I am terrified that one day, you will suddenly leave this world and abandon me here alone."

Hearing the worries of the woman in his arms, Gu Sheng's heart gave a slight tug. He had not expected that the outwardly strong and proud Qian Renxue would harbor such insecurity when facing him.

He slowly lowered his head and kissed her lips deeply.

The kiss was gentle, devoid of any lust, serving merely as comfort and a declaration.

Only when Qian Renxue began to struggle for breath did Gu Sheng pull away. Looking into her hazy eyes, his tone was overbearing yet tender.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking? You are my wife, and we are already wed. In this world, there is no person and no power that can tear us apart."

"Even if the day comes when I must leave this world, I will certainly take you with me. What of the God Realm? If I so desire, that place will sooner or later become the private garden for the two of us."

Hearing her husband's overbearing and resolute promise, the unease in Qian Renxue's heart vanished instantly. She broke into a smile through her tears and leaned forward to kiss Gu Sheng's chin.

"Mm, I believe you, husband. My heart was given to you long ago."

Gu Sheng looked at her luscious, delicate appearance, and the Evil Fire within him could no longer be suppressed. He reached out to her luxurious golden imperial robes at her shoulders and tore them open with a rough, forceful tug.

Accompanied by the sound of tearing fabric, the gold-and-red imperial robes, symbols of supreme power, were cast to the floor.

Beneath them, her white undergarments were revealed, faintly showing her exquisite collarbones and skin as fair as jade.

"Husband, be gentle..."

Qian Renxue shyly closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling with unease, yet her hands remained tightly clasped around Gu Sheng, welcoming his passion.

The red bed curtains fell at that moment, concealing the scene of spring upon the Dragon Bed.

The next day, as the first rays of dawn pierced through the carved window lattices and spilled onto the slightly disheveled gold-woven carpet, the bedchamber remained filled with the lingering scent of intimacy.

Inside the soft red curtains, Qian Renxue lay quietly in Gu Sheng's arms.

Her waterfall of golden hair was scattered messily across her fair shoulders, and her delicate face still bore a flush like that of a hangover. Her long lashes fluttered slightly, as if she were immersed in a sweet dream.

Gu Sheng had long since awakened. He turned slightly to his side, one hand pillowed under his head while the other stroked her silk-smooth hair.

Watching the defenseless sleeping face of the woman in his arms, a trace of warmth flickered in his eyes.

Seeming to sense the gaze of the man beside her, Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes. Those golden orbs, usually filled with majesty, were now brimming with haze and attachment.

"Husband, you are awake..."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, carrying a post-coital languor, and she snuggled even closer into Gu Sheng's embrace, seeking the source of warmth.

Gu Sheng pressed a light kiss to her forehead and smiled.

"I have been awake for a while. Seeing you sleeping so soundly, I did not want to disturb you."

Qian Renxue's exquisite nose twitched slightly, and her small hand rested on Gu Sheng's sturdy chest, feeling his powerful heartbeat, which made her feel incredibly secure.

"Do you not need to attend the morning court today?"

She asked in a daze, clearly reluctant to leave her current comfort, having even cast the newly acquired power of the Empress to the back of her mind.

Gu Sheng took her small hand and pinched it gently against his lips, his tone relaxed.

"The obedient ministers are holding the court; there will be no chaos. Besides, I have more important matters to attend to today."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression cleared slightly, and she looked up with curiosity.

"Important matters? Does my husband mean..."

The gentleness in Gu Sheng's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a depth so calm it was unsettling.

"To cut the weeds and eliminate the roots."

He uttered these words faintly; though his voice was not loud, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop by several degrees.

Qian Renxue felt a slight tremor in her heart and understood immediately.

"Is my husband planning to make a move against... the Clear Sky Sect?"

Gu Sheng slowly sat up, pulled a silk robe from the side, and draped it over his shoulders. His slender frame appeared tall and mysterious in the morning light.

"Tang Hao was severely injured by me and even severed his own arm. Although he managed to escape with Tang San, he is nothing more than a cripple now."

"Given Tang San's personality, he will never let such humiliation go. Aside from that skulking Clear Sky Sect, where else could they possibly go?"

Gu Sheng walked to the window, looking at the brightening sky outside with his hands clasped behind his back.

"The Clear Sky Sect is, after all, the former number one sect in the world, and their foundation still remains. If they are allowed to reunite with Tang San and recuperate, they will sooner or later become a thorn in your side. I will not allow any potential threat to affect your imperial throne."

Qian Renxue looked at the man's back, a surge of indescribable sweetness and pride rising in her heart.

Every step this man took was to pave the way for her.

Ignoring the thin blanket slipping from her body, she hugged Gu Sheng from behind, pressing her delicate frame tightly against his back.

"Husband, the Clear Sky Sect still has five Title Douluo-level elders, as well as the Sect Master Tang Xiao; their strength cannot be underestimated. Should I dispatch the Martial Soul Hall's titled elders to accompany you?"

Gu Sheng turned his head slightly, looked at her worried face, and pinched her cheek with a hint of amusement.

"What, so little confidence in your husband?"

"On this continent, let alone five Title Douluo, even if a god were to descend, they would have to bow before me. A mere reclusive Clear Sky Sect is something I can wipe out with a wave of my hand."

Qian Renxue stuck out her tongue and lowered her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"I know my husband is the most powerful, I just... I hate to see you leave my side."

She shook Gu Sheng's arm coquettishly, her demeanor showing none of the majestic, life-and-death-deciding aura of the Empress she displayed in the imperial court.

Gu Sheng smiled and pulled her into his arms, rubbing his chin against her soft hair.

"Be good, stay in Heaven Dou City and help me guard this home. When I return, I will 'punish' you properly."

Hearing the word "punish," Qian Renxue immediately recalled the absurdity and madness of last night. Her face turned so red it was almost dripping, and she tapped Gu Sheng's chest lightly.

"All you ever do is bully me..."

Half an hour later.

Outside the east gate of Heaven Dou City, banners blocked the sun, and a murderous aura surged.

Three thousand elite heavy cavalry of the Heaven Dou Imperial Army had already lined up, the heavy sound of hooves trampling the bluestone ground creating a dull, thunderous roar.

In front of this cavalry unit were two hundred elite spirit masters from Martial Soul Hall, each with strength above the Spirit King level, their auras thick and restrained.

At the very front stood Snake Lance Douluo She Long and Pufferfish Douluo Ci Xue.

These two Title Douluo of Martial Soul Hall had been completely conquered by Gu Sheng's strength; they stood on either side with respectful expressions, like the most loyal of guards.

The city gates swung open, and Gu Sheng, dressed in white, walked out slowly.

He did not ride a horse, nor did he take the luxurious imperial carriage. He simply walked with a casual stride, yet his figure left trails of afterimages in the void, reaching the front of the army in an instant.

"Greetings, Saint Spirit King!"

Three thousand elites shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. The overwhelming wave of sound caused ripples in the surrounding air.

Gu Sheng scanned the army before him indifferently and raised his hand slightly; the noisy scene instantly fell into absolute silence.

This absolute control made She Long and Ci Xue, standing to the side, feel secretly alarmed.

"She Long, Ci Xue."

Gu Sheng's voice was soft, yet it fell clearly into their ears.

"Subordinates are here!"

The two Title Douluo bowed in haste.

"Lead the way. Target: Clear Sky Sect."

Gu Sheng issued the order briefly, then his figure moved, and he drifted toward the distant mountains like a wisp of breeze.

"Move out!"

She Long shouted loudly, following closely behind with Ci Xue. The three thousand heavy cavalry and two hundred elite spirit masters turned into a torrent of steel, kicking up rolling dust as they charged toward the mountains where the Clear Sky Sect hid.

Meanwhile.

Deep within a mountain range hundreds of miles away from Heaven Dou City.

Here, clouds and mist lingered year-round, the terrain was steep and treacherous, and thick iron chains spanned the cliffs, connecting one proud peak to another.

This was the location of the Clear Sky Sect, once known as the number one sect in the world.

Ever since they were forced into seclusion due to the incident involving Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Sect had been silently licking its wounds in these perilous mountains, severing all contact with the outside world.

However, the atmosphere within the Clear Sky Sect today felt unusually heavy.

Inside the Clear Sky Sect's assembly hall.

Sect Master Tang Xiao sat at the head of the table. His usually refined and resolute face now appeared somewhat haggard, his eyes filled with a deep sense of worry.

Seated in order below him were five elders with white hair and beards, their auras profound and deep. Each of them was a formidable Titled Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect.

At this moment, in the center of the hall, a middle-aged man with a severed left arm and a face as pale as paper leaned weakly against a chair.

This man was none other than the returned Tang Hao.

"Tang Hao, you still have the nerve to come back!"

The Seventh Elder, possessing the most explosive temper, slammed his hand against the table, producing a deafening crash.

A surge of scorching soul power erupted from his somewhat withered body as he glared fixedly at Tang Hao.

"Back then, because of you, the sect was forced into seclusion, and how many innocent disciples died at the hands of Martial Soul Hall!"

"Now, not only have you failed to reflect on your actions, but you have also provoked that newly ascended 'Saint Spirit King' of the Heaven Dou Empire, and even dragged Little San into this mess!"

The Seventh Elder's voice was sharp, laced with intense resentment.

Tang Hao lowered his head, his expression desolate; he had nothing to say in response to the Seventh Elder's accusations.

"Enough, Old Seven."

The Second Elder opened his eyes slightly, a flicker of complexity passing through his somewhat clouded gaze.

"Now is not the time to shift blame. Ah Hao returned this time with grave injuries; had it not been for the ring detonation of his Great Sumeru Hammer, he likely would have lost his life. Little San is also currently in a coma and must be treated immediately."

Tang Xiao sighed as well, looking at his own younger brother with a heart full of pain.

"Ah Hao, is the strength of the Heaven Dou Empire's 'Saint Spirit King' truly that terrifying?"

"Even with you and Little San joining forces, you couldn't withstand a single blow from him?"

Tang Hao raised his head, a trace of lingering terror flashing in his eyes that had yet to dissipate.

"Big Brother, that person... he is simply not human. When he unleashed his power, he didn't use any soul rings, but that pure power of light felt like a god descending, making it impossible for anyone to even conceive of resisting."

"Under his immense pressure, my Great Sumeru Hammer didn't even have the chance to unleash its power."

Tang Hao's voice carried a hint of imperceptible trembling.

Upon hearing this, the entire assembly hall fell into a deathly silence.

If even the Clear Sky Hammer, renowned for having the greatest attack power in the world, was so vulnerable before him, then what kind of realm had this "Saint Spirit King" reached?