Bone Douluo Is Dead, Trump Card Revealed

Under everyone's shocked gazes, Xue Ye slowly raised the trident in his hand, its tip aimed at Bone Douluo, who was pinned to the ground. Its meaning was self-evident.

"No!"

Bone Douluo suddenly roared, bloodshot veins bursting in his eyes. As a Titled Douluo of his generation, he was naturally unwilling to accept this. The Bone Dragon martial soul instantly appeared behind him, erupting with a terrifying aura that swept across the entire area like a tidal wave.

Yet that aura was effortlessly erased by the faint blue glow of the trident, as though the raging gale had never existed.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—nine soul rings slowly rose beneath Gu Rong's feet, fully displaying the strength of a Titled Douluo.

"Ninth Soul Skill, Bone Transforms Divine Dragon."

Yun Chen's expression instantly turned grave. Almost instinctively, he took Qian Renxue's hand—or rather, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's hand—and tried to retreat.

Qian Renxue's expression was equally serious. Feeling the warmth of Yun Chen's palm, her gaze softened for an instant, only for it to vanish without a trace. She had no real measure of Xue Ye's strength now. Who knew whether that old man could withstand this?

Qian Renxue had just been about to flee when she heard Emperor Xue Ye chuckle.

The trident at his side shot forth in an instant. In the blink of an eye, azure energy enveloped Gu Rong's Bone Dragon martial soul. That Ninth Soul Skill, hailed as the strongest, was forcibly brought to a halt.

Yes, brought to a halt.

Gu Rong's face flushed crimson. The soul power he had just begun to circulate ran wildly through his body. With a puff, he spat out blood—the result of backlash from both his soul power and soul skill.

All he felt now was chaos throughout his meridians. What horrified him even more was the trident in Xue Ye's hand.

What exactly is that azure energy? It can suppress martial souls and soul power? It can even prevent soul skills from being released. This is no mortal object. A god—it must be a god!

Gu Rong had never believed so firmly in the existence of gods. Even though the Qian Family claimed to possess the Angel God, he had always scoffed at it. He had never seen one, so naturally, he did not believe.

Yet at this moment, only a god could explain the overwhelming pressure that trident inflicted upon him.

Of course, he was not wrong. Although this trident was not a true divine artifact, it was still the final safeguard the first Sea God had left behind for the Heaven Dou Empire—the treasure that protected the nation.

(Note: For the specific details, see the author's note at the end of the chapter.)

The next moment, Bone Douluo's pupils abruptly contracted. The Sea God Trident had already shot toward him. It was so fast that before he could even make a sound, it had pierced through him.

"Riiip!"

Accompanied by the crisp sound of tearing flesh, Bone Douluo's pupils slowly widened. His thoughts gradually fell into chaos. His lips trembled as though he still wanted to say something, but in the next second, his entire body crashed to the ground.

When the dust settled, many servants immediately vomited, because half of Bone Douluo's body had been directly torn apart by the trident.

Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes and quietly glanced at Emperor Xue Ye. Fear and lingering dread flooded her heart.

She did not dare imagine what would have happened if she had truly followed Bibi Dong's previous plan and forced the palace coup after taking control of the court.

And revealed her identity.

She would certainly have died even more miserably than Bone Douluo.

"Grandpa! Grandpa... Grandpa!!"

Ning Rongrong wept so hard her heart seemed to break, calling for her grandfather over and over. But her grandfather was destined never to stand up for her again.

"Uncle Bone... Uncle Bone!"

Ning Fengzhi stood there, trembling all over as he softly called Bone Douluo's name. His eyes were bloodshot, tears sliding from their corners.

He knew it was over.

Half the sky of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had collapsed.

He cried both for his personal bond with Bone Douluo and for the worry and pain he felt over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's future. Yet he also knew that this judgment was far from over. He could not collapse—not before these people, at least.

He gently wiped away his tears and straightened up. He no longer acted so humbly and submissively. His earlier deference had only been because he wanted to save Bone Douluo, hoping to beg Emperor Xue Ye's forgiveness through his attitude. But Emperor Xue Ye had not accepted it. Today, Bone Douluo was dead.

One of the pillars of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had fallen. Many people wanted to see him make a fool of himself, but he would not give them the satisfaction. At the very least, he had to keep his spine straight now.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's error has been personally judged by Your Majesty. I have nothing to say, and I accept it wholeheartedly."

"Likewise, I understand that compensation is indispensable. What Your Majesty did just now merely stopped the wrongdoing; it did not correct it."

"I am willing to use half of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's assets to correct this mistake."

Emperor Xue Ye's move had thoroughly intimidated the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi did not dare harbor the slightest doubt now.

After all, judging from the strength Emperor Xue Ye had displayed, if he truly wanted to act against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then forget Sword Douluo leading some people to break out—today, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would likely vanish into the dust of history.

A level ninety-five Bone Douluo had been instantly killed with a single strike, unable even to release a soul skill. The impact was no less shocking than being told that soul masters could obtain soul rings without killing soul beasts.

"Indeed. Then let this matter end here. In the future, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will remain a partner of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face. He even hypocritically claimed that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would remain a partner.

Ning Fengzhi revealed a bitter smile. What partner? Emperor Xue Ye clearly meant to take the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in as his dog, and they would have to swallow this humiliation even with their teeth broken.

"Longhu!"

"Your Majesty, this minister is here."

"Work with Sect Master Ning to clean this place up. Then go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and handle the formalities."

"I will give the green light to all your actions."

"Also send people to renovate the Crown Prince's Residence."

Emperor Xue Ye issued his orders simply. The ministers beside him nodded repeatedly, their nervous appearance almost amusing.

"Qinghe, Chenchen, come with me."

With a wave of Xue Ye's hand, Xue Qinghe obediently followed behind him with Yun Chen in tow. They headed straight for the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Little Chen, did you bring that jade pendant?"

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Xue Ye smiled at Yun Chen. Yun Chen had thought Xue Ye was using this matter as an excuse to take back the jade pendant and prevent him from choosing something from the treasury.

Although Yun Chen was somewhat unwilling, he knew this matter had started because of him.

"Your Majesty, I have it on me."

"Good. Then follow Eunuch Wei to the treasury and choose an item. This is what I promised you."

Yun Chen was a little dazed. He had thought Xue Ye was about to take back his jade pendant, but he had not expected this outcome. The eunuch beside him, Eunuch Wei, had already slowly stepped forward and stood at Yun Chen's side.

"Your Highness Yun Chen, please follow this servant."

Eunuch Wei wore a smiling expression, and his attitude toward Yun Chen was markedly different. After all, anyone could see that Yun Chen was a pillar of the empire personally chosen by Xue Ye. Naturally, no one would dare treat him poorly.

Naturally, Xue Ye had reason to smile. Today, he had ruthlessly established his authority. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Heaven Dou Empire's prestige had reached its peak. This was both a display of strength and a warning to the major powers.

Before this, the Heaven Dou Empire had been weak, and the major powers had long regarded it as fish on the chopping block.

Anyone could come along and kick it a couple of times.

Previously, he had simply let them do as they pleased. After all, the younger generation of the Heaven Dou Empire had no remarkable talents. It was just that way.

But things were different now. The Heaven Dou Empire had its own rising star for the future, so naturally, it could no longer let him be bullied at will. At the very least, it had to stand behind the child.

Xue Ye sat in the seat of honor, his fingers lightly tapping the table in a steady rhythm. Xue Qinghe stood before him, though no one knew what he was thinking.

"Qinghe, do you know why our Heaven Dou Empire was founded in the first place?"