"I never expected Your Highness to know so much about the Moonlight Pavilion."
Xue Qinghe shook his head slightly at Sunday's words.
"I wouldn't say I know it that well. As an academy of aristocratic etiquette, the Moonlight Pavilion has naturally had members of the imperial family study there."
Sunday nodded, glanced at Tang Yuehua mingling with the nobles below, then turned and returned to his seat in the stands.
A while later, two people approached Sunday and Xue Qinghe in the stands.
Seeing them arrive, Xue Qinghe rose with a delighted expression and took a couple of steps forward to welcome them.
"Teacher, you're here. Please, take a seat."
Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile and sat beside Sunday, while Chen Xin took the seat next to him.
"No need to stand on ceremony, Qinghe. Why bother with such formalities between us? Sit down."
As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi turned to Sunday with a smile.
"I didn't expect you to come as well, Mr. Sunday. What a coincidence."
Sunday looked at the smiling Ning Fengzhi and nodded.
"I didn't expect Sect Master Ning to attend either."
"Education has always been a matter of great importance. How could I neglect it?"
"His Majesty has arrived!"
A shrill announcement rang out from the main entrance of the Soul Fighting Arena, followed by the clatter of armor.
A dozen or so knights emerged through the doors, each carrying a spear, their golden armor gleaming and their bearing imposing.
Behind them, Xue Ye slowly emerged in magnificent imperial robes, surrounded by several attendants.
"Greetings, Emperor Xue Ye."
Everyone present stood and bowed their heads to Xue Ye. This was the man who had pulled the empire back from the brink of collapse.
Xue Ye took the foremost seat on the judging platform and smiled, spreading his hands toward those bowing to him.
"You are all pillars of our empire. Dispense with the formalities and sit!"
As he spoke, Xue Ye glanced at Xue Qinghe, Sunday, and their companion in the stands to his left.
The three occupied the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's seats. Given Xue Ye's special status, Xue Qinghe had to represent him there.
After nodding to the three, Xue Ye looked toward the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice below.
"Ahem. I hereby declare this public trial open!"
As Xue Ye finished speaking, two knights brought the battered Qin Ming forward, and the Ministry of Justice began presenting the evidence it had gathered, piece by piece.
"Do you have any plans lately, Mr. Sunday?"
Watching the trial below, Ning Fengzhi put the question to Sunday as though in passing.
Xue Qinghe turned to glance at Ning Fengzhi but did not interject.
"Nothing important. Just obtaining soul rings for Rongrong and the others."
"Rongrong has broken through?"
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were both somewhat surprised to hear Sunday say that Ning Rongrong had broken through.
Hadn't the little girl only been at rank twenty-seven a couple of days ago? How had she broken through in the blink of an eye?
"Yes. I found some medicinal herbs while I was away. After taking them, the girls all broke through, and Rongrong's martial soul evolved as well."
"What!"
Ning Fengzhi could no longer remain composed at Sunday's words. Martial Soul Evolution was something he had pursued his entire life.
"Sir..."
"Ask Rongrong about it later."
Only then did Ning Fengzhi calm down, inwardly reproaching himself for his carelessness. Martial Soul Evolution was such a profound secret. How could they discuss it before outsiders?
Although few people present had cultivation higher than Chen Xin's or Sunday's, Ning Fengzhi's cautious nature still made him fear that the walls had ears.
"I was presumptuous. When you have time, Mr. Sunday, please visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"As for that method of evolution, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will certainly reward you generously!"
Whatever else the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might lack, it had money to spare!
Sunday glanced at Ning Fengzhi. Noticing the veiled gleam in his eyes, he asked with some puzzlement.
"What is it? Are you going away soon, Sect Master Ning?"
Hearing Sunday bring up the very matter he wished to discuss, Ning Fengzhi's lips curved slightly, though his tone carried a hint of melancholy.
"Alas, yes. Some of our merchant associations in the Star Luo Empire have run into trouble lately. I need to deal with it personally."
Xue Qinghe paid little heed to this. Such things happened often. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect focused primarily on commerce, so traveling all over the continent was nothing unusual.
"Is that so? You certainly have your work cut out for you."
Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement, then leaned toward Sunday's ear with a subdued expression.
"There is something I'd like your help with, Mr. Sunday. Might you be willing?"
After considerable deliberation, Ning Fengzhi had decided to act the next day and uproot the Strength Clan completely.
It was not that he lacked patience. Quite the opposite: if circumstances allowed, he would have had no trouble postponing the matter for a month or two.
After all, with a Super Douluo like Sunday in Heaven Dou City, doing anything felt like covering one's ears while stealing a bell.
His greatest fear was that Sunday would step forward to stop him when the time came,
and then not only would all his efforts come to nothing, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's actions would also become known to the world. Everything would be ruined.
Yet the opportunity compelling him to act, even at the risk of offending Sunday, was simply too rare to pass up.
Tang Hao was no longer near Tang San!
To him, this was tremendous news-a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.
Originally, his plan had been to have several Soul Douluos hold Tang Hao back so that he could annihilate the Strength Clan.
Now that Tang Hao was absent, it was the perfect time to strike!
To be safe, he had specifically sent Bone Douluo to scout around Shrek Academy for several days. After confirming that Tang Hao really had left,
he had settled on this plan to avoid letting a long night breed more nightmares.
Sunday raised an eyebrow at his words.
"Just say it, Sect Master Ning. I'll judge for myself."
Ning Fengzhi clenched the hands resting on his knees.
"I have something of a dispute with the Strength Clan. I'd... I'd like to ask you not to intervene when the time comes.
"Rest assured, sir, I will reward you generously afterward. Whatever your terms, as long as they are within my power, I will agree!"
Ning Fengzhi had his own calculations. This promise placed no real constraint on him.
Sunday could ask for anything, provided Ning Fengzhi could actually do it. Besides, using this to forge a friendship with a Titled Douluo would be no loss.
His only fear was that Sunday would refuse. Then things would become troublesome...
Sunday looked at Tai Tan sitting in Shrek Academy's section and thought, Just how rotten is this fellow to have become a target so quickly?
"Understood. As long as you don't endanger the city's civilians, I won't interfere."
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were both somewhat surprised that Sunday did not intend to intervene.
Instead, Sunday's promise not to interfere put them on their guard, making them fear he had some powerful move hidden up his sleeve.
"Your magnanimity is admirable, Mr. Sunday. I will certainly reward you generously afterward."
As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi looked toward Tai Tan, who was talking with Tang San, and a flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes.
Xue Qinghe listened quietly to their conversation without asking any questions.
Once he spoke up, it would mean the imperial family was involved as well. Ning Fengzhi and someone else tearing at each other like dogs was clearly what Xue Qinghe wanted to see.
He would never drag himself into it for no reason. Not only would he gain nothing, but he would end up splattered with filth.
"For his multiple crimes, the offender Qin Ming is hereby sentenced to have his cultivation abolished and be reduced to a commoner! Does anyone object?"
While the three men's thoughts shifted, the trial below had already reached its conclusion.
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