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As for other powers on the continent?
Qian Renxue—who controlled the Tian Dou Empire while also being the Spirit Hall's Young Miss—didn't care.
The Star Luo Empire was already crippled and on the verge of collapse. The Heaven Dou Clan had sealed its mountain and retreated from the world, while the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon family stood alone against the tide. The remaining powers were either Spirit Hall subordinates or insignificant players, unworthy of serious attention.
"Alright then. I'll go alone. By the way, how do you plan to handle the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Nodding, Chu Chengzhou pressed further.
"I'm conflicted too. To be honest, my teacher has always treated me well. I worry he won't accept the truth that I'm not Xue Qinghe."
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Qian Renxue's expression twisted with inner turmoil.
"Tsk~. In my opinion, you should just reveal everything to him directly. After all, it was you who became his disciple—not Xue Qinghe."
Chu Chengzhou shrugged dismissively.
This distinction was crucial. In Ning Fengzhi's eyes, there was a fundamental difference between Qian Renxue—disguised as Xue Qinghe—choosing to become his disciple, and someone who had murdered and impersonated Xue Qinghe to infiltrate his tutelage.
The former was his genuine disciple who had merely concealed her identity; years of master-apprentice bond couldn't be faked. The latter would be his sworn enemy who had slaughtered his disciple.
"Reveal everything directly?"
"Yes—just lay your cards on the table. My father-in-law is a shrewd man. Unless there's irreconcilable hatred, he'll choose reason over emotion."
Chu Chengzhou added: "Shall I accompany you?"
In his view, the original Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had stubbornly aligned with Tang San and chosen to clash with the Spirit Hall not only because of Tang San's exceptional talent and strength, but also because the Spirit Hall had acted ruthlessly first.
Before the political landscape had even stabilized, under Bibi Dong's leadership, the Spirit Hall had launched the "Soul Hunting Operation."
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's ancestral home had been raided. Ning Fengzhi's relatives hadn't escaped unscathed. Even if he had once considered surrendering, his heart would never have accepted it.
And even if he, as sect master, chose to forget this grudge, the rest of the sect would never agree. Ning Fengzhi would have no choice but to fight the Spirit Hall to the death.
Otherwise, morale would shatter, and his leadership would collapse.
Another critical factor was the Spirit Hall's secrecy. Had the continent known the Spirit Hall's true strength before the final battle?
Setting aside the mother-daughter duo who ascended to the Angel and Asura God positions, the Spirit Hall alone had twenty to thirty Titled Elders.
Had Ning Fengzhi known the Spirit Hall's might before the Soul Hunting Operation—and learned his prized disciple Xue Qinghe was actually Spirit Hall's Young Miss Qian Renxue—he would undoubtedly have surrendered to the Spirit Hall without hesitation.
Allies like the Tian Dou Empire? Promising talents like Tang San? For the survival of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's legacy, they could all step aside!
After all, the sect had never harbored ambitions or possessed the strength to dominate the continent. Wouldn't it be wiser to remain peacefully as one of the three great sects and the continent's top mining mogul?
"Tomorrow then?"
After a moment's hesitation, Qian Renxue suggested.
The campaign against Star Luo would soon conclude. She wanted to settle Tian Dou's affairs and return to the Spirit Hall for her Angel God trials as soon as possible.
"Works for me. I'll head to Spirit City after this is resolved."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
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The next morning
Qian Renxue dispatched messengers to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with formal invitations.
Afternoon
Under the escort of a Royal Knights squadron, a luxurious carriage departed the imperial palace, exited Tian Dou City's north gate, and headed toward the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect outside the city.
Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Main Hall
"Qinghe, what brings you to seek your teacher today?"
After welcoming them inside and exchanging pleasantries, Ning Fengzhi glanced at Chu Chengzhou—quietly sipping tea on the side—before turning to Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe.
"Master, I wish to ask your opinion on the Spirit Hall."
Qian Renxue shot Chu Chengzhou a subtle glare before speaking.
'Spirit Hall?'
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow, then smiled warmly. He pointed at Chu Chengzhou. "Is the Spirit Hall scheming against the empire? If so, Qinghe, have no worries. With this young man here, even the Spirit Hall can't stir up much trouble!"
Qian Renxue: "..."
Ning Fengzhi had absolute confidence in Chu Chengzhou's strength.
Years ago, when Chu Chengzhou annihilated over a dozen Star Luo Titled-level experts outside Tian Dou City in a single battle, Ning Fengzhi had already recognized his son-in-law as one of the world's top experts.
And a few days ago, after the "terrifying tribulation lightning" appeared over a desolate mountain a hundred li east of Tian Dou City, Ning Fengzhi had revised his assessment of Chu Chengzhou yet again.
That mountain—where Chu Chengzhou had forged the heaven-refined Nine Heavens Chaos Gold—was barely a hundred miles from Tian Dou City. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect lay only twenty to thirty miles north of the city. The Chaos tribulation's heavenly might had been impossible for the sect's experts to miss.
Chen Xin—the sect's strongest expert—had commented at the time: "Divine punishment's might is beyond mortal resistance!"
Though Ning Fengzhi hadn't witnessed it firsthand, and even after investigating the site later with Chen Xin and Gu Rong found no trace of the tribulation survivor, he was certain it was Chu Chengzhou.
First, no other expert of that caliber existed within Tian Dou's territory besides Chu Chengzhou—a man whose strength ceiling he'd repeatedly failed to fathom.
Second, he'd seen similar tribulation lightning before—not identical, but akin to when Chu Chengzhou had forged heaven-refined Deep Silver.
Moreover, Chu Chengzhou had recently requested rare metals from him.
That terrifying lightning must have been the elemental tribulation during metal heavenly refining.
'My son-in-law weathered a divine-grade tribulation like it was nothing. What do I have to fear from a mere Spirit Hall?'
In fact, Ning Fengzhi had even considered this: once the empire's campaign concluded and Star Luo's territory was absorbed, if the Spirit Hall dared try to snatch the victory, he'd have his son-in-law march straight to Spirit City.
Ning Fengzhi: "Sky Invincible Qian Daoliu? What a coincidence—my son-in-law excels at archery!"
For the shrewd Ning Fengzhi, letting his beloved daughter follow Chu Chengzhou now seemed the most profitable decision of his life.
"Master, you misunderstand. The Spirit Hall isn't plotting anything."
Qian Renxue shook her head.
Well, it wasn't that the Spirit Hall planned to act against Tian Dou—it had already moved. The first half of their grand scheme had succeeded flawlessly, and the final act was nearing completion.
This was also why the Spirit Hall had remained unusually quiet on the continent for years.
Otherwise, as the soul master world's hegemon, why would they act so discreetly?
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