But Xue Ye still said to Xue Qinghe, "Qinghe, why don't you tell us what you think?"
In response, the impostor posing as Xue Qinghe spoke up. "Father, if this is true, then we need to find a way to eliminate them. But now that everyone knows they have such talent, it's impossible that they're unprotected. To kill them, we'd need at least Titled Douluo-level experts. Does our imperial family have any Titled Douluo?"
After saying this, Xue Qinghe glanced at Xue Xing before continuing. "So I think we should send word to my teacher and see what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intends to do. Perhaps they'd be willing to act. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has two Titled Douluo—the renowned Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo."
At that glance from Xue Qinghe, Xue Xing's expression turned troubled. He didn't like his nephew, Xue Qinghe. In the past, he had helped Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, who had stood behind him. At the time, Dugu Bo was the only Titled Douluo connected to the imperial family, so Xue Xing had carried considerable weight in Xue Ye's eyes.
But for some reason, Dugu Bo had suddenly disappeared several years ago. His granddaughter, Dugu Yan, who had been studying in Heaven Dou City, had vanished along with him.
Some said Dugu Bo had offended someone and fled far away with his granddaughter. Others claimed his entire family had been wiped out. Xue Xing had always spread the first story, even claiming that Dugu Bo would soon return to Heaven Dou City. He had hoped that invoking Dugu Bo would give him more say in the imperial family.
But the years had passed, and Dugu Bo had still not appeared. Xue Xing's position in the empire had become awkward, to say nothing of Xue Beng, whom he supported.
That was why he had looked so embarrassed when he saw Xue Qinghe's glance. By now, Xue Xing had accepted that Dugu Bo was dead.
Hearing Xue Qinghe's words, Xue Ye sighed and nodded. "Yes. At this point, we can only count on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two Titled Douluo."
Then Xue Ye continued, addressing Xue Qinghe. "In that case, Qinghe, you'll go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and discuss this with Sect Master Ning. If the Heaven Dou Empire needs to contribute anything, we'll certainly do so."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe replied, "Father, then I'll set out at once."
With that, Xue Qinghe left the Imperial Study and headed outside.
As Xue Qinghe departed, Dai Feng in the Star Luo Empire received the news as well.
Unlike the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire had a cruel system of succession. Yet that very system ensured that every Star Luo Emperor was ambitious, gifted, and ruthless—a true hard case.
Combined with the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of the imperial Dai Clan and the Zhu Clan, the Star Luo Empire possessed tremendous fighting strength.
As soon as he learned what had happened, Dai Feng immediately summoned the head of the Zhu Clan, Zhu Zhuqing's father, Zhu Lingtian.
Then he said to Zhu Lingtian, "Lingtian, you know about the two geniuses who appeared at Spirit Hall. Our informants have just sent word that the two have actually left Spirit City. Their existence could interfere with our Star Luo Empire's grand plan, so I want you and Xiao Yu to go deal with them. If you're in danger, withdraw at once. Neither you nor Xiao Yu can afford to get hurt."
Xiao Yu was Zhu Lingtian's wife and Dai Feng's younger sister. Marriages between the Dai and Zhu Clans were commonplace, and that was why Zhu Lingtian and Dai Yu had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. One was a Titled Douluo, the other a Soul Douluo, and their fusion skill was exceptionally powerful. That was why Dai Feng had sent the two of them.
Hearing this, Zhu Lingtian replied, "Your Majesty, I understand. Xiao Yu and I will find a way to complete the mission. I can also take the opportunity to visit my younger daughter and the Third Prince in the Heaven Dou Empire."
After speaking, Zhu Lingtian set out. Naturally, he took seriously the threat posed by Qian Renxue and Tai Yi, the two who might obstruct the Star Luo Empire's plan for unification. Although, to outsiders, Zhu Lingtian was merely a duke of the Star Luo Empire, given the ties between the Zhu and Dai Clans, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the empire's deputy emperor in all but name.
The two families were bound together at the roots. As long as the Dai Clan remained, the Zhu Clan could never fall into decline. So Zhu Lingtian immediately called his wife, and the two set out.
The Star Luo Empire thus became the first faction to send people after Qian Renxue and Tai Yi.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had also received the news. Yu Yuanzhen summoned his younger brother, Yu Luomian, and asked, "What do you think?"
Hearing this, Yu Luomian replied, "I think this could be a trap. With two geniuses like them, how could Spirit Hall not send anyone to protect them?"
Hearing Yu Luomian's words, Yu Yuanzhen said, "I think so too. But this is also an opportunity. If we don't act now, then once they return to Spirit City, we won't have another chance. Neither of us is a match for that old man, Qian Daoliu."
Yu Luomian knew that his elder brother Yu Yuanzhen was right. So he said, "Big brother, the Upper Three Sects stand together. If we're worried that those two are protected, why not go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and ask Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo to join us? With Ning Fengzhi's support and the three of you Titled Douluo, we might be able to eliminate them."
Hearing Yu Luomian's suggestion, Yu Yuanzhen agreed that it was a chance. "In that case, come with me at once. We'll go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and discuss this with Ning Fengzhi."
Yu Luomian naturally nodded. Then he and Yu Yuanzhen left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect together and headed for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
And so the Heaven Dou Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect were both on their way to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Three factions were gathering there at once.
As Xue Qinghe made his way to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the panic had vanished from his expression. The one impersonating Xue Qinghe had originally feared that Young Master Qian Renxue and Tai Yi might be ambushed and come to harm.
So after leaving the palace, he had sent word to Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City. Once the message had been passed up the chain, he learned at once that the Grand Pontiff had known about this from the beginning. Three worshippers and two Spirit Hall elders were also secretly protecting Young Master and Tai Yi.
The plan was to wipe out all those audacious enough to make a move. So now Xue Qinghe was thinking that once he reached the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he would urge its two Titled Douluo to join the fight. That way, the worshippers and elders who had already been placed in position could eliminate them all in one fell swoop, removing a future threat to Spirit Hall.
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