The outskirts of Clear Sky Sect.
Bibi Dong, holding the Pope's scepter, stood calmly at the edge of a cliff, her purple silhouette unmoving.
Her violet eyes gazed intently at the several wrist-thick iron chains disappearing into the clouds.
Behind her stood a group of powerhouses including Yue Guan, Gu Yuena, and the Sea Witch, along with the elite forces of the Spirit Hall.
Banners blotted out the sky, creating an imposing atmosphere.
Yue Guan, standing nearby, wore a grave expression.
Looking at the sea of clouds ahead, he sighed:
"The Clear Sky Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the world's number one sect. Just these interlocking iron chains alone have halted our army's advance."
The Clear Sky Sect was built into the mountains.
Sheer cliffs surrounded it on all sides.
The only connections to the outside world were these iron chains stretching between peaks.
Not to mention outsiders—even Clear Sky Sect disciples might struggle to cross these mist-shrouded chains.
"It seems the Clear Sky Sect has sealed itself off completely."
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and withdrew her gaze.
"Two days ago, I sent two hundred scouts deep into the sea of clouds. This morning, only a dozen or so returned."
"All reported that the cloud maze was impassable."
Yue Guan shook his head.
"Are we to return empty-handed then?" He looked to Bibi Dong for guidance.
"After marching our army all this way, shall we turn back without even seeing the enemy?"
Bibi Dong raised her chin defiantly.
"A mere cloud maze and some chains pose no real threat." Zhou Long, who had accompanied Bibi Dong, stepped forward with a faint smile.
"Oh? Does the Scorpion Douluo have a solution?"
Bibi Dong looked slightly surprised.
Her earlier exchange with Yue Guan had actually been meant to steady morale.
Truth be told, she had no better plan for crossing the cloud maze and chains.
Zhou Long smiled confidently, hands behind his back: "Your Holiness, are you familiar with sky lanterns?"
Sky lanterns?
Bibi Dong's elegant brows furrowed.
What were sky lanterns?
"Teacher, I've released sky lanterns before." Hu Liena stepped forward.
She gestured and explained: "Sky lanterns are wish lanterns released during festivals. They have paper covers above and burn pine resin below to float upward."
After hearing this, Bibi Dong nodded in understanding.
"I believe I've lit these before as well."
Then.
She turned to Zhou Long: "But how does this help our army cross the Clear Sky Sect's cloud maze?"
"Exactly. Surely we're not going to release tens of thousands of lanterns just to light up the clouds?" Hu Liena scratched her head.
Admittedly, this idea seemed rather impractical.
While sky lanterns could float, their illumination range was extremely limited.
Moreover, the winds in the cloud sea were strong.
A gust could easily blow the lightweight lanterns away.
They'd provide no real lighting function.
"What if we scaled up the lanterns a hundredfold?"
Zhou Long clasped his hands behind his back, smiling confidently.
"You... don't mean to carry people with them, do you?" Hu Liena exclaimed in astonishment.
This seemed utterly inconceivable.
Sky lanterns were made of paper—if enlarged too much, they'd surely tear in the wind.
Seeing Hu Liena's shock, Zhou Long remained unfazed:
"Young Master once told me that airtight canvas could be used to make hot air balloons."
"They operate on the same principle as sky lanterns but can carry people."
"Ye Tian told you this?" Bibi Dong rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
She hadn't expected that even absent, Ye Tian's methods could assist her.
"Perhaps it's worth trying. Scorpion Douluo, I'll leave the hot air balloon construction to you."
When Bibi Dong issued this order, Zhou Long glanced at her but said nothing.
In his heart, he only acknowledged Ye Tian as leader.
Bibi Dong was at best a temporary collaborator.
As they discussed strategies.
One of the chains in the clouds suddenly shook.
This drew Bibi Dong's attention, and everyone looked up.
Soon.
Three figures emerged from the mist, walking along the chain.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a beard and center-parted hair, his face lean.
Behind him followed two white-haired elders.
The bearded man didn't approach Bibi Dong directly.
He stopped at a distance, then bowed as an equal: "Tang Xiao, Patriarch of the Clear Sky Sect, greets the Spirit Hall's Pope."
Tang Xiao straightened, his expression solemn as he regarded Bibi Dong.
Then he surveyed the army covering the mountains behind her.
After a long pause, he feigned confusion:
"Might I ask what brings Pope Bibi Dong to our Clear Sky Sect?"
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes, spreading her arms with a faint smile: "Patriarch Tang Xiao, do you truly not know, or do you pretend not to?"
"Your Holiness overestimates me. I've always been slow-witted, so I genuinely don't know your purpose here." Tang Xiao bowed again.
"Then I'll tell you." Bibi Dong's expression remained calm:
"Clear Sky Douluo attacked our Elder Hall, killing two of our elders. Today I've come with an army to eradicate your Clear Sky Sect."
"Clear Sky Douluo dared attack Spirit Hall elders?"
Tang Xiao acted as if hearing this for the first time, his face a picture of shock.
"To think my frail younger brother could accomplish such a feat—slaying two Super Douluos."
This was clearly mocking Bibi Dong for fabricating reasons to attack.
But such taunts couldn't faze her.
Her expression didn't flicker:
"Every action has consequences. Since Clear Sky Douluo acted without considering them, don't blame me for being unmerciful."
Tang Xiao chuckled lightly and bowed again:
"I believe the facts are clear, Your Holiness."
"Clear Sky Douluo committed the attack—you should seek vengeance against him. What does this have to do with our sect?"
Tang Xiao appeared completely unruffled, as if Clear Sky Douluo were a stranger.
This made Bibi Dong smile faintly.
Tang Xiao lived up to his reputation as sect leader—with just a few words, he'd absolved his sect of responsibility.
Indeed, Tang Hao had been expelled from the Clear Sky Sect twenty years prior.
By continental sect standards, Tang Hao's "attack on the Elder Hall" truly had nothing to do with them.
However, Bibi Dong hadn't come for revenge against Tang Hao.
Her primary goal was to crush the Clear Sky Sect's fighting forces.
The story about Clear Sky Douluo attacking the Elder Hall was merely pretext for the Spirit Hall's justified invasion.
"Your deliberate sheltering of Tang Hao implicates you all. If innocent, why not let me lead my army to search your sect?" Bibi Dong remained composed.
Tang Xiao's attempt to play word games was amateurish.
Sure enough.
This left Tang Xiao visibly uncomfortable.
His beard bristled—this old woman had some skill.
"So Your Holiness intends to destroy our Clear Sky Sect?" Tang Xiao stared into Bibi Dong's violet eyes.
"Patriarch Tang Xiao misunderstands. I merely wish to apprehend Tang Hao and lightly punish your sect—not eradicate it."
Bibi Dong flashed a white-toothed smile.
Tang Xiao laughed too.
But his was bitter laughter.
Bibi Dong's intent to destroy the sect might as well be written on her face.
Yet she claimed otherwise.
Not even ghosts would believe that.
Tang Xiao shook his head: "If that's the case, I've nothing more to say. But let me remind you—below these peaks lie bottomless chasms. A fall means certain death."
"Also, the dense clouds easily cause disorientation. Get lost, and you'll never find your way out."
"Ah yes." Tang Xiao turned to an elder beside him: "Elder Four, how many bodies have our affiliated clans found at the cliff bases recently?"
"Reporting to the Patriarch—189," Elder Four answered respectfully.
"I see." Tang Xiao smiled and nodded toward Bibi Dong.
"Presumably these were Your Holiness's people?"
"Our Clear Sky Sect has no use for corpses—we'll return them to you."
"As you command, Patriarch." Elder Four bowed.
Bibi Dong raised her chin, watching Tang Xiao's retreating figure through narrowed eyes.
Once Zhou Long prepared the siege equipment...
...would mark the Clear Sky Sect's destruction.
Meanwhile.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
News of Emperor Xue Ye's death had spread.
The entire palace mourned.
Qian Renxue now wore white mourning robes.
She stood outside the bedchamber receiving condolence visits from ministers.
"Your Highness, please accept our condolences."
The ministers all looked haggard as they offered comfort.
Some even urged her immediate ascension:
"Your Highness, a nation cannot lack its ruler. We implore you to assume the throne swiftly and govern the realm."
Qian Renxue remained silent to such appeals.
She stood blankly, staring vacantly at the ground.
Just then.
The clatter of approaching armor grew loud.
Ministers looked up in alarm to see Imperial Guard Commander Li Chao leading troops into the area.
The guards surrounded the ministers, pointing sharp spears at them.
This forced the officials to cluster protectively around Qian Renxue.
"Li Chao! Is this rebellion?! Without imperial decree, you dare lead troops into the royal bedchamber?!"
"Decree?!"
The golden-armored Li Chao stormed forward, his sword-hand trembling with tension.
Bloodshot eyes blazed with fury: "Whose decree? His Late Majesty's?!"
Suddenly.
Li Chao drew his sword with a shing, pressing it to Qian Renxue's throat.
Eight soul rings flared violently around him.
His soul power and chaotic blood energy surged wildly.
"Xue Qinghe! Answer me this—how did His Majesty truly die?!"
He had personally delivered routine reports to Emperor Xue Ye daily.
When Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng arrived, he'd just finished reporting.
At that time, the Emperor could still speak and move his arms.
Yet after Xue Qinghe left...
Both Emperor Xue Ye and Xue Beng were dead.
If anyone claimed this wasn't suspicious, Li Chao wouldn't believe it.
With the sword at her throat, Qian Renxue's hand trembled imperceptibly.
At this proximity, her life lay entirely in Li Chao's hands.
Facing mortal danger, she suddenly recalled Ye Tian's words:
Li Chao's loyalty wasn't just to Xue Ye—but to the Heaven Dou Emperor.
Realization dawned.
Qian Renxue raised her chin and enunciated clearly:
"My father was Heaven Dou's Emperor! I am its rightful heir!"
"His Highness speaks truth! Commander Li, even if you doubt Prince Xue Beng's patricide, how dare you suspect the Crown Prince?!"
"The Crown Prince is the natural successor! He needn't vie for what's rightfully his!"
A bold minister stepped forward to rebuke Li Chao.
When Li Chao remained unmoved, another official intervened:
"Li Chao! Do you truly intend to assassinate Heaven Dou's sole heir?!"
"This is a crime warranting extermination of nine generations! Think carefully!"
"You all should think carefully too!" After chastising Li Chao, the minister pointed at the guards:
"Are you prepared to bear this treasonous stain?"
This struck a chord.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances.
All guards were nobility—each from prominent families with extensive kin.
From recruitment, they'd been indoctrinated with loyalty to the throne.
Now with Emperor Xue Ye gone, the Crown Prince's succession was inevitable.
Pointing weapons at their future sovereign contradicted their deepest convictions.
Under the minister's admonishment, the guards lowered their spears.
Soon.
One soldier dropped his weapon.
Others followed.
Clatter!
Soon all guards had disarmed.
They knelt in submission.
Witnessing this.
Li Chao suddenly laughed.
He knew he could no longer seek truth for the wronged Emperor.
Dropping his sword.
Li Chao knelt despondently.
"I beg... Your Highness's forgiveness!"
He ground out the words through clenched teeth.
He feared no personal death, but couldn't jeopardize his clan.
They were innocent.
"Commander Li acted out of loyalty to my father. I take no offense."
"With His Majesty's passing, the court needs steadfast ministers to maintain order."
"I hereby appoint Commander Li as acting Minister of Military Affairs, retaining command of the Imperial Guard to reorganize our forces."
"My gratitude, Your Highness." Li Chao looked solemn, even stunned by the promotion instead of punishment.
The surrounding ministers regarded him with pity.
This fool didn't realize that before taking, one must first give.
Did he truly think the military minister post was an honor?
Such a pivotal position came with crushing responsibilities.
The empire's vast military inevitably harbored corruption—all of which would become the Crown Prince's weapon.
When the time came for purges, Li Chao would be the perfect scapegoat.
This made the ministers secretly admire the Crown Prince's political acumen.
This young heir would prove more formidable than Emperor Xue Ye himself.
Exchanging glances, the ministers knelt in unison:
"We beseech Your Highness to prioritize state affairs and ascend the throne at once!"
(End of Chapter)