Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair, the collar of her dark robe slightly open, revealing a glimpse of her pale neck.
But the next moment, the authority in her voice swept away every trace of feminine softness:
"Where is Tang Hao now?"
"We've temporarily lost track of him!"
Qian Renxue tapped her fingertips against the table, making a steady tap, tap sound.
"Tang Hao suddenly revealed himself. There must be a reason. Though he's wanted by Spirit Hall, judging by the path he took... I remember Tang Yuehua is Tang Hao's younger sister, isn't she?"
"Yes! But Tang Hao has already left the Clear Sky Sect, and Tang Yuehua has cut ties with him."
"Blood ties aren't so easily severed."
As Qian Renxue spoke of Tang Yuehua, her thoughts actually strayed to that other woman.
The woman seated upon the highest throne in Spirit Hall!
Qian Renxue continued, "Tang Yuehua is the mistress of Moonlight Pavilion and Xue Qinghe's instructor in music and etiquette. She's a favorite in noble circles. If Tang Hao wants revenge, sooner or later he'll come looking for her!"
"Then we should take care of her first..."
"No!" Qian Renxue cut him off. "Leave her be. I have a use for her!"
"Yes!"
Snake Lance Douluo was about to withdraw when he suddenly remembered something and spoke up.
"By the way, Young Master, that Soul Tool repairer named Chu Men who came to the residence before held a class at Blue Tyrant Academy today. He made a Soul Tool that released lightning, causing a sensation throughout Heaven Dou City!"
"Oh? He made a Soul Tool?"
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow.
Snake Lance Douluo said, "Yes. The imperial military has already made contact with him. Minister of Military Affairs Wu Potian even paid him a personal visit."
A flicker of interest passed through Qian Renxue's eyes. "Blue Tyrant Academy, a Lightning Soul-Guided Device? Just some little trinket from a fringe discipline. It won't amount to anything."
She paused, then added, "But since Wu Potian thinks so highly of it, send someone to keep an eye on him and see what else he comes up with.
"If it proves useful, we can bring him under the Angel Family's banner. It could add something new to our warrior corps."
"Yes!"
After Snake Lance Douluo withdrew, Qian Renxue was alone in the study.
She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and wearily rubbed her brow.
She had spent more than a decade disguised as the crown prince. She had long since grown used to living behind a mask.
Only when she was alone like this could she set aside her disguise and reveal a hint of a young woman's liveliness and fatigue.
"Chu Men? He's just a craftsman."
Moonlight streamed through the window and fell across her face, one half bathed in the chill of the moon, the other in the pale glow of the lamplight.
She opened her eyes and gazed at the stars scattered across the heavens beside the moon, her expression resolute and unwavering.
"Just a little longer."
Qian Renxue murmured to herself.
"Soon, the entire Heaven Dou Empire—and all of Douluo Continent—will belong to me, to our Angel Family!"
Qian Renxue picked up her brush and resumed reviewing the memorials.
Meanwhile, at Blue Tyrant Villa.
It was an important stronghold of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in Heaven Dou City.
The plaque bearing the words "Council Hall" hung prominently above the entrance. Enormous carvings of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragons adorned the black stone pillars on either side, their surfaces gleaming coldly in the candlelight.
Seated in the main chair was Yu Zhentian, the clan elder stationed in Heaven Dou City.
An eighty-fifth-rank Power Attack System Soul Douluo!
His eagle eyes were sharp as blades, the veins standing out on the backs of his hands. The aura of one who had spent years Soul Fighting clung to him.
"You've all heard what Tianheng had to say."
Yu Zhentian's voice rumbled like thunder through the empty council hall.
Yu Songtao, seated below him, immediately rose to his feet, his face full of indignation.
"Uncle Zhentian, uncles and brothers, this Chu Men is far too brazen! He's only a minor Soul Master working under Liu Erlong, yet he dares to act so outrageously!"
His tone shifted, and a flash of jealousy crossed his eyes.
"Liu Erlong is nothing but an illegitimate daughter. She's been driven out of the clan for so many years. And now she's basking in the limelight thanks to this Lightning Soul-Guided Device!
"Blue Tyrant Academy has become more and more outrageous. They let their teachers slander the clan, and now they've gone and exposed the Lightning Soul-Guided Device—a matter of such importance—before all the major factions without authorization...
"I say we must summon her here and make her explain herself. This concerns the clan's interests. We can't let her do as she pleases!"
Yu Songtao was Liu Erlong's contemporary, and more than ten years her senior, yet he had remained stuck at rank fifty-nine, unable to break through.
He had long been resentful of his exceptionally talented younger cousin. Now, at last, he had found an opportunity!
The council hall immediately filled with murmurs, and many nodded in agreement.
If the Lightning Soul-Guided Device really worked, it would be an enormous achievement.
If they could get their hands on the technology, their branch would be able to outshine the others at the clan meeting at the end of the year!
Yu Zhentian raised a hand to quiet them, and the council hall fell silent at once.
He considered the matter for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Liu Erlong is one of Yu Luomian's people. The Lightning Soul-Guided Device technology should also be placed under the clan's unified control."
His tone turned firm and unquestionable.
"I'll go see her in person tomorrow. Songtao, you'll come with me. We'll offer courtesy before force. If she hands over the technology, the clan will reward her. If she dares protect an outsider..."
Yu Zhentian didn't finish, but the coldness in his eyes said everything.
Yu Songtao's face lit up.
"Uncle Zhentian, you're wise!"
Outside Heaven Dou City, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Pagoda Pavilion.
The night was thick, yet the grounds were ablaze with lights, bright as day.
Ning Fengzhi wore a moon-white brocade robe and sat in a purple bamboo chair, his bearing gentle as jade.
A stack of documents lay before him, and he was carefully poring over them.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong lounged against the branch of a Glazed Tree, eyes closed as he rested, turning two iron walnuts over in his hand.
"This month, the number of clan disciples injured or killed while away from the sect has risen by ten percent."
Ning Fengzhi set the report down on the table and took a sip of tea. "The disciples' ability to protect themselves has always been a serious problem."
Bone Douluo had heard this before. He opened one eye and pursed his lips.
"Training out in the world is bound to be dangerous. There's no such thing as avoiding bloodshed.
"Besides, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciples possess auxiliary Martial Souls, so their casualty rate is lower than that of combat Soul Masters. You deserve much of the credit for that, Fengzhi.
"With me and that Sword Person around, things won't get out of hand!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
"That's true. You and Uncle Sword can't protect every disciple. My Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is unrivaled in its auxiliary abilities, but its user has almost no combat strength.
"We have to find a way for auxiliary Soul Masters to protect themselves. Even a little would make the sect's situation far better."
Bone Douluo didn't argue. In his long life, he had witnessed more tragedies involving auxiliary Soul Masters than he could count.
Ever since he had promised to protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had understood better than anyone the worries weighing on Ning Fengzhi's mind.
Just then, a disciple in a green outfit strode into the room and dropped to one knee.
"Sect Master, a report has come from Heaven Dou City. A Soul Tool called 'Golden Snake Dancing Wildly' has appeared at Blue Tyrant Academy. It can convert a Soul Master's Soul Power into lightning, and it's already caused a sensation throughout Heaven Dou City!"
Ning Fengzhi's expression froze. His eyes gleamed.
"Convert Soul Power into lightning? Tell me everything!"
"Yes."
The green-clad disciple replied respectfully. "This morning, Blue Tyrant Academy held a public class on Soul Tools..."
Bone Douluo jumped down from the tree and gave a derisive laugh.
"Soul Tools are precious things. Take one onto the battlefield? That'll be difficult!"
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, then asked the most important question.
"Can noncombat Soul Masters use it too?"
"Sect Master, according to our investigation, the teacher named Chu Men was originally a Soul Tool repairer. His Martial Soul is a pen, and he doesn't possess strong offensive abilities himself..."
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