The Heaven Dou Great Emperor's face was livid.
Just moments ago, he had received word that his Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, had actually transformed into a woman right before the Imperial Physician and everyone else's eyes.
Hmph! How audacious!
Someone had used a Soul Skill to impersonate the Heaven Dou Crown Prince. He had never imagined anyone would dare do such a thing!
"Move aside!"
Xue Ye barked at the people blocking his way.
A group of people stood guard at the door, firmly barring the entrance without any intention of moving.
"Fine. Take them down! Dead or alive!"
Xue Ye waved his hand, and the crowd surged forward at once. Soul Skills filled the air, dazzling everyone who watched.
There were quite a few people who had accompanied Qian Renxue to the Heaven Dou Empire as spies, but compared with the forces of the Heaven Dou Great Emperor, they were still far too weak. They soon couldn't hold out any longer.
"Not bad. It seems you've emptied out my entire Crown Prince's residence. So how many people in this imperial palace are actually mine?"
Xue Ye flew into a rage. His subordinates moved even faster, afraid the emperor might suspect them.
Soon, everyone holding the line in front was captured, and Xue Ye stood at the door.
"Don't hurt her, or you'll regret it."
The man lying on the ground threatened him, his eyes icy.
Xue Ye glanced at her impassively. "I'll ask you again: who are you people?"
"Hmph. You're not worthy of knowing."
Xue Ye pushed the door open.
Inside, an old woman stood guard beside the bed. A golden-haired beauty of peerless allure lay upon it.
The woman was still wearing the Crown Prince's clothes. The half-empty bowl of medicine at her bedside was the one he had carried in himself that morning. Everything was just as before, but she wasn't him.
Xue Ye clenched his fists, veins bulging.
How dare someone—how dare anyone play him for a fool!
"Where is my Qinghe? What have you done with him?" He seized the old woman, his expression twisted and his eyes ice-cold.
The old woman's face remained calm. Even as he took out his anger on her, she only stayed silent, refusing to say a word.
"Hmph! Aren't you worried about this woman?"
Xue Ye released the old woman and walked to the bed, but she grabbed his ankle. "You can't touch her."
The veins on Xue Ye's forehead bulged. At her words, he laughed in fury. "Hahaha! Hahahaha! There is nothing I cannot do in the Heaven Dou Empire!"
His Soul Rings rose, and he was about to strike Qian Renxue dead with a single palm.
But just then, a powerful pressure locked onto Xue Ye, stopping his heart.
BOOM—
A huge hole burst through the ceiling. A man wreathed in golden angelic light dropped into the room, scooped up Qian Renxue, and left.
Xue Ye was frozen in place the entire time, sweat beading across his face. He couldn't move at all. Only when the people outside rushed in and supported him did he feel sensation return to his body.
"Your Majesty, are you all right? Your Majesty!" His attendants anxiously helped him sit on the bed.
Xue Ye took a cup of water from a guard and gripped it tightly, his heart churning like a river in flood.
I should have known. The only ones on this continent bold enough to act so recklessly are the Spirit Hall.
A fierce look flashed through his eyes.
Well done, Spirit Hall! You dared to strike at the imperial family of my Heaven Dou Empire, kill my child, and replace him with one of your own. What a brilliant scheme!
The Spirit Hall's wolfish ambition had been laid bare for all to see.
I'll ruin the Spirit Hall's reputation! I'll get justice for my Qinghe and make you pay!
CRASH—
The cup shattered, and blood stained his hands.
SHING—
The old woman beside them drew a knife and slit her own throat. Xue Ye glanced at her coldly, utterly indifferent. "Wipe my hands."
"Yes, Your Majesty." A maid hurried forward, carefully cleared away the shards, and wiped the blood from his hands.
Spirit Hall.
After Qian Daoliu left, the room was empty for the moment.
"What are you waiting for? Hsi Wu," Shendu urged him.
"I'm waiting for him to get a little farther away." Hsi Wu flipped up from the floor, his large eyes scanning the surroundings.
There was no one else.
"Heh heh heh. So even the free Sky Demon can feel fear?"
"Shut your foul mouth, Shendu. I'm just being cautious." Hsi Wu spread his wings and flew skyward, shooting through the hole in the ceiling.
"Indeed, neither of us has recovered our full strength. This world is still somewhat dangerous. Take the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, for example. There's something unusual there, something worth taking seriously even at the height of our powers."
"There are only two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts there. Do you think I've never been, Shendu?" Hsi Wu immediately retorted.
Below, Golden Crocodile Douluo spotted the demon escaping and hurried after him. Unfortunately, his speed was nothing compared with Qian Daoliu's, and he couldn't catch Hsi Wu at all.
"Heh. Insects." Hsi Wu looked back at Golden Crocodile and sneered in disdain.
Bibi Dong gazed up at the sky, her delicate brows drawing together.
"Heh heh heh. That monkey and that little snake? Do you take me for a fool, Hsi Wu? I mean the true depths of the Star Dou Great Forest's core. There's a dangerous presence in there. Whatever you do, don't go in."
"You talk too much. Bye, Shendu!" Hsi Wu sped up, streaking away. "Still, I should thank you for helping me this time. In return, I won't let Zhong Su punish you."
As his words fell, Hsi Wu had already vanished beyond the horizon.
Shendu could still see Hsi Wu from his vantage point, but he said nothing. He gave a cold laugh and paid him no further attention.
Secret chamber.
Bibi Dong stood poised before the statue, her expression placid. "Hsi Wu flew away."
"Of course I know. Let him go. You've already gotten what you wanted. Now hurry up and collect the Talismans—that's what matters." Shendu's voice was hoarse, and his eyes glowed red.
Bibi Dong gave him a long look, as if she had countless questions she wanted to ask. But she said nothing and turned to leave.
For some reason, though everything Shendu had done made perfect sense, she couldn't help being suspicious of him.
As if the fellow were a liar by nature.
"Everyone knows I'm a noble dragon and a demon sorcerer, and I've always been a man of my word." That was what Shendu had once said to his foe.
Bibi Dong hesitated. Maybe she was overthinking it?
She wanted to find a Talisman and give it to Shendu, at least to make him give her something in return.
Besides the Sheep Talisman and Tiger Talisman Shendu had already obtained, there were ten Talismans left.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Several people gathered around the Dragon Talisman, their eyes shining.
"Wow, so this is the Dragon Talisman! It's so pretty." Xiao Wu reached out to touch it, but the cool feel made her pull her hand back.
Grandmaster walked over and said proudly, "Ning Rongrong, let me study this Talisman. Maybe I can find a way to duplicate it."
His words immediately surprised everyone.
Ning Rongrong looked troubled. "But this Talisman..."
"Ning Rongrong, think carefully. If the Talisman stays in your hands, there'll only be one. If I manage to duplicate it, everyone can have one. Which is better? You can figure that out for yourself!"
Grandmaster stroked his beard confidently, as if certain Ning Rongrong wouldn't dare refuse him.
Before you continue