Dai Weisi sneered.
"The timing isn't ripe yet, but we can kill with a borrowed blade."
He leaned closer to Zhu Zhuyun and lowered his voice.
"I will advise Father Emperor to summon Zhu Zhuqing back to the Star Luo Empire. If she returns, she will fall under imperial control."
"If she refuses to return, we will brand her with the crime of 'betraying the empire.' At that point, even if Heavenly Path Academy wants to protect her, they will have no legitimate grounds."
He paused, then added.
"Also, immediately contact the family's most loyal followers. Spread rumors that Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul is a 'wicked mutant' that will backfire upon the continent. Make her the target of public condemnation."
A trace of viciousness flashed through Zhu Zhuyun's eyes as she nodded forcefully.
"Good! I will make sure she is utterly disgraced. I will make her understand that she will never be able to surpass me!"
What Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun did not know was that Li Tianyi, who usually appeared gentle and easygoing, was extremely protective of his own.
As long as the two of them dared to make any move, he would not mind wiping out the Star Luo Empire and replacing its rulers entirely.
A force that did not even possess a single Titled Douluo still dared to scheme against his disciple?
...
Ghost Duke's Estate.
Zhu Zhuqing's father, the Nether Duke, stared at the golden rankings, his face filled with joy and pride.
"My daughter truly did not disappoint!"
Yet worry soon flickered through his eyes. Ever since Zhu Zhuqing left home six years ago, his youngest daughter had never returned.
"A tall tree draws the wind. Her future path will not be peaceful."
He immediately issued orders.
"Seal the estate gates and strengthen security. No one is allowed to discuss the young lady casually. Dispatch riders at once. We must find a way to contact Heavenly Path Academy, inform her of the situation at the estate, and tell her to be extremely cautious."
The token Li Tianyi had left behind back then could sense Zhu Zhuqing's safety, but it could not directly locate Heavenly Path Academy. They could only search everywhere based on clues.
...
Heaven Dou Royal Family.
Within the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye sat upright on the Dragon Throne, his gaze heavy as he looked at the golden rankings in the sky. His imperial bearing remained undiminished, yet the shock in his eyes was impossible to conceal.
The ministers below whispered among themselves, their expressions varied.
"A martial soul surpassing the God King tier. Six ultimate attributes."
Emperor Xue Ye spoke slowly, his voice carrying a note of awe.
"Heavenly Path Academy actually possesses such profound foundations. Yun Ming and Zhu Zhuqing have emerged one after another, not to mention the several others on the rankings. The continental balance of power is likely to be completely rewritten."
A minister bowed and said.
"Your Majesty, Zhu Zhuqing, the Nether Spirit Cat, is most likely from the Ghost Duke's estate of the Star Luo Empire."
"Now that she possesses such strength, the Star Luo Empire is like a tiger with added wings. This is absolutely not good news for our Heaven Dou Empire."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded, resolve flashing through his eyes.
"Star Luo and Heaven Dou have always been irreconcilable. Now that they have gained such a powerhouse, we cannot afford to sit idle."
He turned to Prince Xue Xing beside him, his tone commanding.
"Immediately prepare the most precious soul tools and rare minerals. Assemble an envoy and search everywhere for the whereabouts of Heavenly Path Academy."
"Not to win over Zhu Zhuqing. She is from Star Luo, and may not serve us. But we must establish contact with Heavenly Path Academy, ascertain its stance and depth. If we can reach a non-aggression pact, that would already be a blessing."
"Preferably, we should also send some people in to study."
"And one more thing," Emperor Xue Ye added.
"Order all major legions to strengthen their alertness and reinforce border defenses. At the same time, urge domestic soul master forces to accelerate their cultivation. Under the blessings of the golden rankings, this is the best opportunity to improve our strength."
...
On the imperial road, inside a luxurious carriage, Qian Renxue had only just managed to steady her emotions after the shock of Yun Ming's ascension to godhood when the information of the third-ranked martial soul struck her like a thunderbolt.
She abruptly raised her head, her gaze locking onto the golden divine script in the sky outside the window. Her face turned deathly pale, and the small angelic sword at her brow trembled violently, releasing a piercing hum.
This was awe and dread that originated from the depths of her soul, even stronger than when she faced Yun Ming.
"Zhu Zhuqing… a martial soul surpassing the God King tier? Six ultimate attributes, even encompassing time and space?"
Qian Renxue's voice trembled uncontrollably. Her fingertips were ice-cold, nearly digging into her palms.
"I am the reincarnation of the Angel God and have read through the ancient records of the Divine Realm, yet I have never seen such a defiant martial soul!"
In her previous life, she had created her own divine position and was already a peerless prodigy. Yet Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul surpassed the God King tier at its very root, completely overturning her understanding of martial souls and power.
Golden Crocodile Douluo sat beside her, his expression equally grave as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Xue'er, Zhu Zhuqing's emergence is even more troublesome than Yun Ming. Yun Ming may be a God King, but his divine position still requires steady cultivation and consolidation."
"Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul already surpasses the God King tier. With the golden rankings' rewards added on top, a ten-level increase in soul power, an additional forty thousand years to each soul ring, and the removal of secret technique side effects, her growth speed will likely far exceed imagination."
Qian Renxue slowly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, some of the cold hostility had faded, replaced by calculated gravity.
"Grandfather Golden Crocodile, our plans must be adjusted once again."
She looked out the window, her gaze sharp yet weighed by consideration.
"Heavenly Path Academy can no longer be ignored, but confronting it head-on is not a wise choice. With talents as defiant as Zhu Zhuqing and Yun Ming, if they can be put to use, restoring the glory of the Angel God and avenging the Asura God would take half the effort."
"Even if we cannot, we absolutely cannot allow them to side with Star Luo or Heaven Dou."
"But Heavenly Path Academy's whereabouts are a mystery, and its strength is unfathomable. We know nothing about Zhu Zhuqing either, not even her temperament or desires. How can we win her over?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo voiced his doubts.
"Precisely because their whereabouts are hard to trace and their background unclear, and because she will most likely face suspicion and suppression from Star Luo, this becomes our opportunity."
Qian Renxue nodded, resolve flashing through her eyes.
"So we cannot clash head-on. We must borrow strength to counter strength, and follow the current to win her over."
She looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo and spoke slowly.
"The Star Luo imperial family and the Ghost Duke's estate have already developed cracks between them. We will secretly add fuel to the fire and amplify their conflict."
"Let Star Luo's coercion and the slander of rumors become the 'opportunity' for us to extend an olive branch."
She paused, then added.
"At the same time, deploy all personnel at full speed. On one hand, search for any trace of Heavenly Path Academy. On the other, dig deeply into everything about Zhu Zhuqing."
"Her background, attachments, taboos. Even the slightest rumor must not be overlooked."
"If we do not yet understand her demands, then prepare sufficiently enticing bargaining chips. Unlimited cultivation resources, protection that frees her from Star Luo's shackles, even promises to help her ascend to the peak of the continent in the future."
"Once we identify her weaknesses and desires, we strike precisely. Approaching her in a 'timely help in a snowstorm' manner will be far more effective than reckless overtures."
Admiration flashed through Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes.
"What Xue'er says is absolutely right. Winning her over is far more stable than suppressing her. If such a powerhouse can be brought under our banner, the Angel Clan would be like a tiger with added wings!"
"Under our banner? The best possible outcome is merely equal dealings with Yun Ming and Zhu Zhuqing. Bringing them under our banner is absolutely impossible."
Qian Renxue once again looked toward the golden rankings, her eyes filled with complex emotions, wariness, anticipation, and a sharp glint of determination.
In this era, powerful enemies were also opportunities. Even knowing nothing about them, as long as one seized the fleeting chance, the most defiant opponents could be turned into allies. Only then could she truly stand at the peak of the continent.
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