Dai Weisi suddenly stood up, instinctively wanting to call out to someone.
But just as Dai Weisi was about to speak, he was held down by an invisible pressure and couldn't move an inch.
"Your Highness, there's no need to be nervous."
Ghost Douluo's voice rang out, "I am Ghostly Demon, an elder of the Gui Mei Spirit Hall. I have come here tonight only to speak with the First Prince."
"What do you want to talk about?" Dai Weisi asked, suppressing his fear.
"Tell me about your impending tragic fate," the Gui Mei said mockingly.
Dai Weisi still retained a bit of princely arrogance, and said disdainfully, "I won't trouble the Spirit Hall with matters concerning my Star Luo Royal Family."
"The Crown Prince is truly a man of great stature; I admire him." Gui Mei clapped his hands and said, "But facing the prospect of being deposed, are you really so resigned to it?"
Upon hearing this, Dai Weisi's expression twisted, and he immediately fell silent.
Ghost Douluo's words stirred up his deepest fear.
Seeing that Dai Weisi remained silent, Gui Mei continued, " The Spirit Hall can help you eliminate Dai Mubai in the finals. As long as you agree, your brother will never be able to return to Star Luo City."
Dai Weisi's heart skipped a beat.
Get rid of Dai Mubai? If Dai Mubai dies, he will become the sole candidate for the throne, and the position of Crown Prince will naturally be his.
Those ministers who sided with Dai Mubai will return to his side. All problems will be solved.
After a brief moment of excitement, Dai Weisi quickly calmed down. The Spirit Hall wouldn't help for nothing. He asked in a deep voice, "What are the conditions?"
The ghostly figure sneered, "The conditions are simple. Once you assume the position of Crown Prince of Xingluo, the Xingluo Empire will be subject to the command of the Spirit Hall."
Dai Weisi's pupils contracted, and he abruptly stood up, roaring, "Impossible! No matter how down on my luck I am, I Dai Weisi, will never betray the Star Luo Empire!"
The Gui Mei wasn't angry; it simply stared at Dai Weisi quietly, as if looking at a spoiled child.
"Your Highness, do you think you still have a choice?"
The Gui Mei voice was utterly blunt, "Are you a match for Dai Mubai? His Soul Power has already broken through to the Soul King level, he has the support of many forces under his command, not to mention the ministers in the Star Luo Royal Family who have already sided with him. What do you have to compete with him?"
Dai Weisi's face gradually paled.
The Gui Mei continued, "You know better than anyone what happens after failing to seize the throne. Do you really want your cultivation crippled and imprisoned in that dark, sunless place to spend the rest of your life?"
Dai Weisi's hands trembled violently. He opened his mouth, but found himself unable to utter a single word.
Seeing his expression, the Gui Mei knew the time was right and stopped pressing him.
"We're only allied with you, not asking you to betray Star Luo Empire."
"Your Highness, there's no need to rush into a decision. There's still over a month until the finals; you have time to consider."
The Gui Mei voice softened slightly, "I've been at the Star Luo Empire Temple these past few days during the qualifying rounds. Once you've made up your mind, Your Highness, just send a message. But don't keep me waiting too long."
As soon as the words were spoken, the Gui Mei figure vanished like a wisp of black mist, disappearing without a trace.
The terrifying pressure that had been weighing on Dai Weisi dissipated, and the study fell silent.
Dai Weisi sat alone in the chair, his chest heaving violently, his face deathly pale.
After a long while, Dai Weisi slowly reached out and refilled the glass.
He picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp. Then, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes.
Time quickly passed to the day before the qualifying rounds began.
Ning Tianyuan also arrived in Star Luo City.
Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong received the information a few days ago and waited outside the east gate of the city early in the morning.
As dawn broke, a dozen or so horse-drawn carriages sped along the official road in the distance.
As the carriage approached, Elder Ning Chengyuan of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School was the first to alight. Though travel-worn, he remained in high spirits.
Behind him were several capable-looking middle-aged men, all of whom were Ning Tianyuan's deputies. After all, as Titled Douluo elder, Ning Tianyuan couldn't possibly do everything himself.
This time, he brought one hundred elite disciples, including twenty Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master, thirty inner disciples at the Soul King level or above, and the remaining fifty outer disciples, mainly responsible for developing businesses in Star Luo City.
Dai Mubai stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, " Elder Ning, you've come from afar; you must be tired."
Ning Tianyuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, a warm smile on his face, " Your Third Prince is too kind. The Sect Master sent me with people to assist the Eldest Miss in establishing a branch sect in Star Luo City. We will rely on Your Highness's guidance in the future."
" Elder Ning, you flatter me. We're all family." Dai Mubai smiled slightly, and without exchanging pleasantries at the city gate, he led his group directly toward the Heavenly Strategy Sect.
After entering the East Gate, the Heavenly Strategy Sect was not far away, and the group did not cause much of a commotion.
Niu Gao and Bai He were already waiting at the gate, and they strode forward to greet them.
Dai Mubai turned to Ning Tianyuan and introduced, " Elder Ning, this is Niu Gao, the former Clan Leader of the Defense Clan Martial Soul Plate-armored Giant Rhinoceros, and he is an 88th-level Defense System Battle Soul Douluo."
"This is Bai He, the Clan Leader of the Speed Clan, Martial Soul Sharp-tailed Swift, and he is an 87th-level pure agility-type Battle Soul Douluo. Both of these seniors are now elders of the Heavenly Strategy Sect."
Upon hearing this, Ning Tianyuan nodded slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Elder Niu, Elder Bai, I've long admired you."
Niu Gao quickly clasped his hands in return, his voice booming, " Elder Ning's name is renowned far and wide."
Bai He also cupped his hands and said, " Elder Ning, you have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Please come in. We have prepared a small feast to welcome you all."
Ning Tianyuan smiled politely, "You two Clan Leader are too kind. I have come to Star Luo City to establish a branch clan on the orders of the sect leader. In the future, we will be living next to the Heavenly Strategy Sect, so I will ask for your Clan Leader."
"Not at all, Elder Ning, you flatter me." Niu Gao waved his hand and stepped aside to make way. "Please come in, the banquet is ready."
The group entered the Heavenly Strategy Sect. A banquet had already been prepared inside the mansion, with rows of long tables filling the courtyard, and the aroma of wine and food wafting through the air.
After a few rounds of drinks, the two sides exchanged pleasantries and quickly became acquainted.
After the banquet, Ning Rongrong handed Dai Tianxing's imperial edict to Ning Tianyuan and explained in detail the location and extent of the plot of land in the east of the city.
Actually, it's right next to the Heavenly Strategy Sect. I saw it when I passed by. It has an excellent location, close to the main street and connected to the Heavenly Strategy Sect, making cooperation between the two extremely convenient.
Ning Tianyuan nodded in satisfaction. "Your Majesty is very kind. On behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I thank Your Majesty."
Niu Gao patted his chest and said, " Elder Ning, leave the construction to me. The Defense Clan may not have many other skills, but building houses and mansions is an ancestral craft. I guarantee that within six months, I will build a beautiful mansion for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Tianyuan cupped his hands in thanks, "Then I'll have to trouble Clan Leader Niu."
Subsequently, Bai He arranged temporary accommodations for the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the backyard of the Heavenly Strategy Sect.
The Heavenly Strategy Sect occupies a vast area with numerous courtyards, originally intended to accommodate more disciples in the future; it can easily house over a hundred people.
Ning Tianyuan thanked him again.