The Heaven Dou Court! Undercurrents Beneath the Surface!

Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Palace.

The Imperial Study was brightly lit by candlelight.

Xue Ye sat behind the broad imperial desk, holding a scroll of poetry in his hand. He had examined it over and over for a long time.

He looked to be just over fifty. His temples had already begun to gray, but his face remained imposing, with the profound gravity unique to an emperor between his brows.

The crown prince, Xue Qinghe, stood respectfully before him, his long golden hair radiating a gentle luster beneath the candlelight.

"Father, you've already read it three times."

Xue Qinghe spoke with a clear, melodious voice and a smile.

Xue Ye set down the manuscript and let out a long sigh.

"Qinghe, do you know why I keep reading this poem?"

Xue Qinghe shook his head slightly. "Your son does not know."

Xue Ye rose and walked to the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the night outside.

"I have been emperor for more than thirty years. I have met countless scholars and read countless poems and essays."

"But no one has ever written lines like these at the age of six."

"'Do not say this body has no land to call its own; where this heart finds peace is my state.' The words seem simple, but they express a person's entire understanding of belonging."

"How could a six-year-old child understand such a principle?"

Xue Qinghe was silent for a moment before saying, "Perhaps... it's because he grew up in an orphanage. Without biological parents, he is especially sensitive to the concept of 'home.'"

Xue Ye nodded. "You make a good point."

"Children who grow up without parents are often more mature than their peers. They understand earlier how to cherish the people and things around them."

"The fact that he could write such lines shows that he has already come to regard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as his home and Ning Fengzhi as his family."

Xue Ye turned around and looked at the crown prince.

"Qinghe, you went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect today. Did you meet that child?"

"I did."

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"What was he like?"

Xue Qinghe thought for a moment before saying, "He was more composed than I expected."

"When facing me, he was neither servile nor overbearing. His words were appropriate, and he showed not the slightest nervousness or unease."

"Moreover, when I suggested that he attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy for further study, he politely declined. He said that his foundation was still unstable and that he did not want to leave the sect rashly."

A hint of admiration flashed through Xue Ye's eyes.

"His foundation is still unstable, and he does not want to leave rashly... Good. Very well said."

"Some people become carried away after achieving the slightest success, eager for the whole world to know their names. Yet he can settle his heart and continue cultivating."

"This disposition is even rarer than his talent."

Xue Qinghe inclined her head slightly. "Father is right."

"But..."

Xue Ye changed tack, his gaze settling on the crown prince.

"Qinghe, how far do you think this Zhao Tian will go in the future?"

Xue Qinghe was silent for a moment before saying, "If he grows up smoothly without interference from the outside world, his future achievements will be at least those of a Title Douluo."

"Moreover, with his literary talent and disposition, I fear he will become more than just a Title Douluo."

Xue Ye nodded and said nothing more.

Yet the thoughtful light in his eyes showed that he was plotting something.

"Qinghe."

Xue Ye suddenly spoke.

"Your son is here."

"Do you think there would be any benefit to us in bringing Zhao Tian into the system of the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Xue Qinghe's heart suddenly tightened, but her expression remained impassive.

"Father means..."

"Although the Heaven Dou Empire has appeared calm on the surface in recent years, Spirit Hall's influence has continued to infiltrate us. It has already made me uneasy."

Xue Ye's voice grew a little deeper.

"Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is one of the upper three sects, it is still only a sect. Its ability to serve as a political counterbalance is limited."

"If a genius like Zhao Tian can be employed by the empire, he will certainly become one of the empire's greatest assets in the future."

"And..."

Xue Ye paused, his gaze sharpening.

"His marriage to Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is equivalent to binding the sect to the empire's war chariot."

"A Title Douluo with the Radiant Phoenix Spirit, combined with the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—such weight is enough to make Spirit Hall think twice."

Xue Qinghe's thoughts raced.

Xue Ye's intentions were obvious. He wanted to use Zhao Tian and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to resist Spirit Hall's infiltration.

This is definitely not good news for Spirit Hall.

But on the surface, she had to appear completely devoted to the interests of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Father is farsighted."

Xue Qinghe bowed slightly.

"Your son also believes that a talent like Zhao Tian is worth winning over with all the empire's strength."

"But..."

She changed tack.

"He is only six years old and still very young. Whether he can grow to the heights Father hopes for remains unknown."

"Your son suggests that we maintain contact for now and slowly build a relationship. There is no need to rush."

Xue Ye nodded. "You're right. There is indeed no need to rush."

"If we place a burden weighing a thousand jin on a six-year-old child now, we may instead crush him."

"Then let it be so for now. Seek more opportunities to interact with him in the future and make him favor the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Your son understands."

Xue Qinghe bowed in salute.

"Then your son will take his leave."

"Mm. Go."

Xue Qinghe turned and walked out of the Imperial Study.

At the moment she closed the door, the refined smile in her eyes slowly faded.

In its place was a calmness so deep it was impossible to see through.

Xue Ye wanted to win Zhao Tian over to oppose Spirit Hall?

He probably never imagined that the crown prince he trusted most was himself a member of Spirit Hall.

And Zhao Tian...

A sharp glint flashed through Xue Qinghe's golden eyes.

That child had indeed aroused her interest.

Not only because of his talent and literary skill, but also because of the calmness and wariness shining from his eyes.

The way he looked at her was different from everyone else.

That feeling was as if... he had seen through something.

Xue Qinghe narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Zhao Tian... just who are you?"

She spoke softly to herself, her voice so quiet that only she could hear it.

Inside the Imperial Study, Xue Ye picked up the scroll of poetry again, his gaze falling on the final two lines.

"Where this heart finds peace is my state..."

He recited the words under his breath, a trace of reminiscence flashing through his eyes.

"If only back then... I too had possessed such peace of mind, perhaps I would not have come this far."

He shook his head, set down the manuscript, and returned to the mountain of memorials.

Outside, the night deepened.

The lights of Heaven Dou Palace swayed in the darkness, illuminating countless figures interwoven with light and shadow.

Beneath this majestic palace, countless unseen undercurrents surged.

And the name Zhao Tian had already quietly appeared on the desks of countless people.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Zhao Tian stood in the empty space in the rear courtyard, circulating the Radiant Divine Canon. Golden light flickered faintly in the night.

He had no idea what had happened in Heaven Dou Palace.

But he knew that his name had already entered the sights of far too many people.

This was both an opportunity and a danger.

"Become stronger."

Zhao Tian closed his eyes and sank into cultivation.

Only by becoming strong enough could he find firm footing within the vortex.