The Four Directions Stir!

Qian Renxue leaned back against her chair, the collar of her dark, everyday attire slightly open, revealing a sliver of pale neck.

Yet, this hint of feminine softness was instantly obliterated by the majesty she projected in the next moment:

"Where is Tang Hao now?"

"He has temporarily vanished from our trail!"

Qian Renxue's fingertips tapped against the tabletop, producing a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

"Tang Hao suddenly revealing his tracks must have a reason. Although he is wanted by my Spirit Hall, looking at the trajectory of his movements... I recall that Tang Yuehua is Tang Hao's sister, is she not?"

"Yes! However, Tang Hao has already severed ties with the Clear Sky Sect, and Tang Yuehua has cut all relations with him."

"Can blood ties truly be severed just by saying so?"

Though Qian Renxue spoke of Tang Yuehua, her mind was actually flashing to that other woman.

That woman who sat upon the supreme throne of Spirit Hall!

Qian Renxue continued, "Tang Yuehua is the Mistress of the Moon Pavilion and also Xue Qinghe's teacher in etiquette and music; she is a favorite in noble circles. If Tang Hao wants revenge, he will come looking for her sooner or later!"

"Then should we first..."

"No!" Qian Renxue interrupted. "Keep her; I have use for her!"

"Understood!"

Snake Spear Douluo was about to withdraw when he suddenly remembered something and spoke up:

"By the way, Young Mistress, that Soul-Guided Device repairman named Chu Men who came to the manor earlier held a lecture at Blue Tyrant Academy today. He created a Lightning Soul-Guided Device that has caused a sensation throughout Heaven Dou City!"

"Oh? Creating a Soul-Guided Device?"

Qian Renxue arched an eyebrow.

Snake Spear Douluo replied, "Yes, the imperial military has already made contact, and the Minister of Military Affairs, Wu Potian, visited him personally."

A flicker of interest crossed Qian Renxue's eyes. "Blue Tyrant Academy, a Lightning Soul-Guided Device? It is merely some minor, unorthodox trickery; it won't amount to much."

She paused, then added, "However, since Wu Potian values it so highly, send someone to keep an eye on him and see what other tricks he has up his sleeve."

"If it truly has some utility, we can bring him under the Angel Family's banner later; it might add some new toys to our warrior regiments."

"Understood!"

After Snake Spear Douluo withdrew, Qian Renxue was left alone in the study.

She leaned back against the chair, closed her eyes, and wearily rubbed the space between her brows.

Having disguised herself as the Crown Prince for over a decade, she had long grown accustomed to living behind a mask.

Only in moments of solitude like this could she shed her disguise and reveal a hint of the liveliness and exhaustion belonging to a young girl.

"Chu Men? Just a craftsman."

The moonlight from outside the window spilled in through the lattice, landing on her face—half in the cold, clear moonlight, half in the pale frost of the lamp.

She opened her eyes and looked at the stars beside the moon, her gaze firm and persistent.

"Wait a little longer."

Qian Renxue whispered to herself.

"Soon, the entire Heaven Dou Empire, the entire Douluo Continent, will be mine—will be ours, the Angel Family's!"

Qian Renxue picked up her brush to resume reviewing the memorials.

Meanwhile, at Blue Tyrant Villa.

This was an important stronghold of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in Heaven Dou City.

The plaque for the "Council Hall" hung prominently in the center, and the black stone pillars on either side were carved with massive reliefs of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragons, which gleamed with a cold, hard luster under the candlelight.

Sitting in the main seat was the clan elder stationed in Heaven Dou City, Yu Zhentian!

An eighty-fifth-level assault-type Spirit Douluo!

His hawk-like eyes were as sharp as blades, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged, carrying the murderous aura of one who had engaged in spirit battles for years.

"Everyone has heard what Tianheng said."

Yu Zhentian's voice was as low as thunder, echoing through the empty Council Hall.

Yu Songtao, sitting in the lower seat, immediately stood up, his face filled with indignation:

"Uncle Zhentian, uncles and brothers. This Chu Men is far too arrogant! He is merely a minor spirit master under Liu Erlong, yet he dares to be so insolent!"

His tone shifted as a flash of jealousy crossed his eyes:

"That Liu Erlong is nothing but an illegitimate daughter who was driven out of the sect so many years ago. Now, she has managed to steal the spotlight with this Lightning Soul-Guided Device!"

"The Blue Tyrant Academy has become increasingly disgraceful. Not only do they indulge their teachers in slandering the clan, but they also acted on their own authority regarding something as important as a Lightning Soul-Guided Device, exposing it before all the major powers..."

"My point is, we must make her come here and explain herself clearly. This concerns the interests of the clan; we cannot allow her to act so recklessly!"

As a contemporary of Liu Erlong, Yu Songtao was more than ten years her senior, yet he had remained stuck at the fifty-ninth level, unable to break through for a long time.

He had long harbored resentment toward this exceptionally gifted cousin, and this time, he had finally seized the opportunity!

The council hall erupted in whispers, with many nodding in agreement.

If the Lightning Soul-Guided Device truly proved effective, it would be a monumental contribution.

If they could get their hands on the technology, their branch would be able to overshadow the others at the year-end family meeting!

Yu Zhentian raised a hand, and the council hall fell silent at once.

He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly:

"Liu Erlong is Yu Luomian's person, and the Lightning Soul-Guided Device technology should be placed under the unified control of the family."

At this point, his tone became unquestionable:

"I will go find her personally tomorrow, and Songtao, you will come along. We shall be courteous before resorting to force; if she hands over the technology, the family will certainly reward her. But if she dares to protect outsiders..."

Yu Zhentian did not finish his sentence, but the coldness in his eyes said it all!

A look of joy appeared on Yu Songtao's face:

"Uncle Zhentian is wise!"

On the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Pagoda Pavilion.

The night was heavy, yet the place was brightly lit, as clear as day.

Ning Fengzhi wore a moon-white brocade robe and sat on a purple bamboo chair, his temperament as gentle as jade.

A stack of documents lay before him, which he was currently examining in detail.

Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, leaned lazily against the branch of a Glazed Tree, eyes closed in rest, fiddling with two iron walnuts in his hands.

"The casualty rate for sect disciples venturing out this month has increased by ten percent."

Ning Fengzhi placed the scroll in his hand onto the table and took a sip of clear tea. "The self-preservation ability of our sect disciples has always been a major issue."

It was not the first time the Bone Douluo had heard this. He opened one eye and curled his lip:

"Venturing out for training is inevitably dangerous; there is no such thing as avoiding bloodshed.

"Besides, as our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples possess auxiliary-type martial souls, 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, the overall situation will not be lost!"

Ning Fengzhi nodded, a hint of helplessness in his tone:

"Indeed, you and Uncle Sword cannot protect every single disciple. My Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is the world's premier auxiliary, yet it possesses almost no combat power itself.

"We must find a way to give auxiliary-type soul masters some self-preservation ability. Even if it is only a little, the sect's situation would be much better."

The Bone Douluo did not refute this; he had seen enough tragedies involving auxiliary-type soul masters in his life.

Ever since he agreed to protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he understood Ning Fengzhi's worries better than anyone.

Just then, a disciple dressed in cyan martial attire walked in quickly and knelt on one knee:

"Sect Master, news has arrived from within Heaven Dou City. A soul-guided device called 'Golden Snake Dancing Wildly' has appeared at the Blue Tyrant Academy. It can convert a soul master's soul power into lightning, and it has already caused a sensation throughout Heaven Dou City!"

The expression on Ning Fengzhi's face froze, his eyes suddenly burning with intensity:

"Converting soul power into lightning? Tell me the details!"

"Yes."

The disciple in cyan said respectfully, "This morning, the Blue Tyrant Academy held an open lecture on soul-guided devices..."

The Bone Douluo jumped down from the tree and scoffed:

"That soul-guided device stuff is far too delicate. On the battlefield? That's difficult!"

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a while before asking the most critical point:

"Can non-combat soul masters use it as well?"

"Sect Master, according to the investigation, that teacher named Chu Men was originally a soul-guided device repairman. His martial soul is of the pen variety, and he does not possess powerful attack capabilities himself..."