Prince Xue Xing hurled the secret report to the floor and roared, making the candles in the hall flicker violently and sending light and shadow into disarray:
"Five assassins, including a Soul Douluo, and they couldn't even deal with a mere Shui Family! Spirit Hall actually dispatched three Titled Douluos to protect them. What exactly are they trying to do?"
The adviser standing beside him bowed and said gravely:
"Your Highness, it seems Spirit Hall is determined to bring Skywater Academy into its fold. They resorted to these thunderous measures to ensure nothing could go wrong. With the Liu Family destroyed, the other factions will surely fear Spirit Hall's might and dare not act rashly again-the relocation of Skywater Academy may already be impossible to stop."
Prince Xue Xing's face turned livid, his gaze sinister:
"Impossible to stop? I, Prince Xue Xing, will never allow Spirit Hall to expand so brazenly! Skywater Academy controls the finest ice- and water-attribute Soul Master resources in the Heaven Dou Empire. If Spirit Hall takes them, its power will only grow, and the threat it poses to the empire will increase by the day!"
The adviser hesitated briefly before urging:
"Your Highness, Spirit Hall is powerful now. The fighting strength of three Titled Douluos is far beyond what Heaven Dou's existing forces can contend with. Trying to stop them by force may provoke an even greater conflict. That would do the empire no good at all."
"No good?"
Prince Xue Xing gave a cold laugh, a flicker of madness flashing through his eyes,
"Are we supposed to watch Spirit Hall swallow up Skywater Academy and stand idly by as it grows stronger? No! We must find a way to stop them!"
He paced back and forth. After a moment, his gaze hardened, and he