Undercurrents Surge, Preparing for the Storm

Ning Fengzhi sought out information on the situation, then headed to the imperial palace to recount the events to Emperor Xue Ye in full detail.

He neither embellished nor intentionally concealed anything, simply stating the facts exactly as they had occurred.

Upon hearing the report, Emperor Xue Ye's expression darkened instantly.

He slammed his hand against the desk and stood up, pointing at the kneeling Xue Beng while berating him: "You scoundrel! You have truly become lawless!"

"To dare to bully others in broad daylight, and to provoke an unknown Title Douluo at that! Do you have any idea what kind of catastrophe you almost brought upon the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Xue Beng turned deathly pale under the scolding, bowing his head in silence. He had never seen his father so enraged; he felt both terrified and aggrieved, yet he dared not offer a defense.

Who could have known that the boy had a Title Douluo by his side? If he had just said so earlier, none of this would have happened!

Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing stepped forward, attempting to ease the atmosphere: "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince was merely acting out of confusion, which is why..."

"Shut your mouth!" Emperor Xue Ye coldly interrupted Prince Xue Xing: "If you hadn't sent troops to surround and suppress them without distinguishing right from wrong, would the Heaven Dou Empire have suffered such a loss?"

Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand, his voice carrying an unquestionable majesty: "Guards! Strip Xue Xing of his princely title and demote him to a Duke! Give Xue Beng thirty lashes and confine him for one year!"

As the words fell, the guards outside the hall immediately entered, their expressions cold as they walked toward Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng.

Prince Xue Xing's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly knelt: "Your Majesty, this brother of yours knows his wrong! Please show mercy, Your Majesty, and give this brother one more chance!"

Xue Beng was so frightened that his face turned pale and his legs went weak. His voice trembled as he said: "Father, this son knows his wrong! I beg Father to forgive this son just this once!"

However, there was no wavering in Emperor Xue Ye's gaze: "Drag them out! I do not wish to see them again!"

The guards did not hesitate; they hoisted Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng up and dragged them out of the main hall.

The pleas of Prince Xue Xing and the cries of Xue Beng gradually faded, eventually vanishing outside the hall.

The hall fell into a heavy silence. Emperor Xue Ye took a deep breath, struggling to quell the fury in his heart, before turning to look at Ning Fengzhi.

"Sect Master Ning, in your opinion, how should we handle today's matter?"

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his words: "Your Majesty, that young man is named Qian Lingche, the Young Master of Spirit Hall."

"The Title Douluo is his subordinate. I am sure Your Majesty has heard some of the rumors regarding him."

Emperor Xue Ye was a man of great intelligence and understood the deeper meaning behind Ning Fengzhi's words instantly.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes as he asked thoughtfully: "Sect Master Ning, are you suggesting that we can win over this Young Master of Spirit Hall?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, I cannot make a definitive judgment, but perhaps it is worth a try."

Of course, he did not truly want Emperor Xue Ye to win over Qian Lingche; he only wanted to secure some benefits for the boy, ensuring Qian Lingche would remember his favor.

After Ning Fengzhi left, Emperor Xue Ye sat alone in the imperial study, lost in deep, solemn thought for a long time.

He rose and walked to his desk, unfolding a detailed map of the Heaven Dou Empire, his gaze finally resting on the Falling Star Mountain Range to the north of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

This mountain range lay between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire. If that Young Master's relationship with Spirit Hall was truly as the rumors suggested...

A moment later, Emperor Xue Ye summoned a trusted minister: "Convey my decree: send someone to Martial Soul City immediately to inform them of my handling of Xue Xing and Xue Beng, and to offer an apology to Young Master Qian Lingche."

"To show my sincerity, I have decided to gift him the Falling Star Mountain Range as his private territory. From this day forward, this mountain range shall be removed from the jurisdiction of the Heaven Dou Empire and belong solely to him."

The minister's expression shifted slightly, clearly shocked by the decree, but he dared not speak further. He bowed low and replied: "I obey the decree; I shall ensure this matter is handled properly."

Only in moments like this, when no outsiders were present, could Qian Lingche show the behavior expected of a child.

He spread his wings and flew in the air, looking at Lin Yuan with envy, his tone filled with longing: "Sister Lin Yuan, your Ninth Spirit Ability is truly powerful."

"That aura of burning the heavens and destroying the earth is simply mesmerizing. I wonder when I will be able to advance to a Title Douluo and possess such formidable power."

Lin Yuan chuckled at his words, her tone carrying a hint of teasing: "Young Master, how old are you? Why are you in such a hurry? With your talent, it is only a matter of time."

But what Lin Yuan did not say was that Qian Lingche was likely the only spirit master in history whose first and second spirit rings were thousand-year, and whose third spirit ring was already ten-thousand-year.

Chen Xin looked at Ning Fengzhi, his brows knitting slightly: "Fengzhi, you suggested that Xue Ye give that boy a fief? Are you trying to..."

Ning Fengzhi laughed softly: "Uncle Sword, given Xue Ye's temperament, the only thing within the Heaven Dou Empire he could possibly give Qian Lingche is the Falling Star Mountain Range."

"That mountain range is rich in resources and strategically located. It won't cost the Heaven Dou Empire too much, yet it demonstrates sufficient sincerity."

"I suspect Xue Ye also intends to use this to keep us in check, but this also works to our advantage."

He paused: "If Qian Lingche can truly leave Spirit Hall and settle in the Falling Star Mountain Range, given his limited connections and the current climate, he will likely choose to be on good terms with us."

"By then, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will have a powerful neighbor who has no conflict of interest with us..."

At this, Chen Xin understood: "So that's it. Fengzhi, this move of yours is brilliant—using Xue Ye's hand to win over that boy."

Ning Fengzhi sighed, a trace of worry on his face: "Uncle Sword, I am merely taking precautions. While the continent appears peaceful, it is actually fraught with hidden crises."

"A few years ago, Tang Hao killed the former Pope of Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, and was subsequently hunted by Spirit Hall, forcing the Clear Sky Sect into seclusion."

"Now that the spirit master strength of Spirit Hall is so formidable, and the two great empires are at daggers drawn, the situation is ready to explode at any moment."

"If a full-scale conflict erupts, I fear the entire continent will be plunged into the flames of war."

"Although our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is the wealthiest in the world, our combat strength is ultimately too weak. If we do not prepare early, I fear we will be unable to protect ourselves when the tide turns."

He paused and continued: "Qian Lingche is the Young Master of Spirit Hall; his status is unique, and his temperament is steady."

"If we can build a good relationship with him, or even draw him into our camp, it would undoubtedly be a powerful protective talisman for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Even if we cannot, at the very least, we can ensure he remains neutral at critical moments, so he does not act against us."

Chen Xin was slightly stunned: "Fengzhi, feel free to act as you see fit. Though I am old, the sword in my hand remains sharp, and I will certainly keep you safe."