The miniature image of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was Ning Rongrong herself.
However, her sudden words left the three people present quite surprised.
Compared to Tokisaki Kurumi's suspicion, Ning Tian and Ye Lengleng were somewhat dazed.
"Did something happen?"
Tokisaki Kurumi broke the silence in the carriage, her eyes gazing deeply at the position of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hovering before her.
"The situation isn't clear yet. Xue Di just contacted me, saying the ice attribute concentration in the Extreme North is declining."
"She and Bing Di suspect that the Ancient Ice Phoenix has escaped."
"I'm still stabilizing my realm right now and can't get away. If you have time, help me go take a look."
"Go now?" Tokisaki Kurumi furrowed her delicate eyebrows. "We still have some things to handle here. I'm worried there might be unexpected situations, and your Sword Grandpa might not have enough deterrence."
Tokisaki Kurumi went over the matter of Tang San and Tang Chen's visit with Ning Rongrong, as well as the suspected operations by Tang San and the Haotian Sect, with nobles in various parts of Tian Dou starting to stir. She explained it in detail to Ning Rongrong.
"Has the Haotian Sect and Xing Luo Empire made moves again?"
Ning Rongrong fell into contemplation. After a long while, she spoke: "No need to rush to the Extreme North first. Xue Di and Bing Di are just speculating; they're still gathering evidence and investigating."
"You can stabilize things in the Tian Dou Empire first before going."
"Alright." Tokisaki Kurumi nodded. "Master, how much longer on your side?"
"It'll still take a few days. I'll contact you if there's a situation."
With that said, the hovering Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda fell back into Tokisaki Kurumi's hand.
Then, it merged into her body.
"Kurumi..." Ning Tian wanted to speak but hesitated.
"It's nothing major. It's just that a primary god sealed in the Extreme North might have escaped—of course, it's just speculation."
If a true primary god had escaped, the Douluo Continent couldn't possibly be so uneventful.
"The Extreme North has a primary god!?" Ning Tian showed confusion.
"Yes, I don't know the specifics." Tokisaki Kurumi explained, "Legend has it there's a primary god's inheritance beneath the Extreme North, but I haven't seen it. However, there is indeed a divine beast sealed in the depths of the Extreme North."
"The natural phenomenon a few years ago, and Xue Di suddenly appearing in Tian Shui City to issue the no-entry order, were all because of that."
"Xue Di... that voice was Xue Di?"
Ye Lengleng hadn't seen Bing Di or Xue Di, but the voice that was like snow in June, with its terrifying chill that could almost change the heavens and earth, was still fresh in her memory.
"Xue Di, is she very strong?" Ning Tian asked.
"Limit Douluo demigod realm. If in the Extreme North, even a quasi-god might not be able to contend against her. Equivalent to that guy outside pulling the cart."
"Uh..." Tokisaki Kurumi's one sentence silenced Ning Tian.
Who was outside pulling the cart?
Wasn't it Sword Douluo?
"You two don't need to worry about these things; Limit Douluo is still too far from you."
"In short, do your own jobs well. If the sky falls, Ning Rongrong will hold it up." Tokisaki Kurumi said. "Master just said that since they've made a move, then give them a little stumble."
"What are you going to do?" Ye Lengleng asked curiously.
"Not much else; the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has plenty of low-tier soul tools." Tokisaki Kurumi toyed with a fifth-tier soul tool in her hand.
"But the specific plan depends on what Xue Ke and Spirit Hall think."
Spreading her senses outward, Tokisaki Kurumi quickly determined the distance to Tian Dou City.
Probably just over two hours to Tian Dou City.
...
Tian Dou City.
"Ning Fengzhi's letter—the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect agrees to expand the soul tool trade scope with us."
Xue Ke's contemplative gaze fell on the letter in her hand. "Discuss the details. What do you seniors think?"
"Rumors say the current Haotian Sect sect master Tang Chen went to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to cooperate with them. It's spreading convincingly outside; we probably need to be on guard for this."
"I don't think it's necessary." Xue Ke shook her head. "Those are likely just groundless accusations. With the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's current strength, to oppose Tian Dou and Spirit Hall, they have no need to cooperate with Xing Luo's Haotian Sect."
"Xue Ke, then what do you think it is?" Just as Xue Ke finished speaking, an elder emerged from the void. His terrifying strength and identity made everyone present extremely respectful.
"Nothing more than sowing discord, but we'll probably have to see them in person to say for sure."
"If Xue Beng says he wants to take back the throne, then if he has the ability, let him come take it."
"Princess Xue Ke, you can't be soft-hearted anymore. Last time..." She Long spoke up.
"I know; things don't happen more than three times." Xue Ke said seriously. "Since that's the case, let's use the throne as the wager. Win or lose, the Tian Dou Empire will be renamed."
"Moreover, on the faith side, you've been preparing in secret, haven't you?"
"Princess Xue Ke, you are someone the young miss values. Logically, we shouldn't be so harsh on you, but this plan involves too many things—even the young miss herself wouldn't dare slack off even a bit."
"She's in the Star Dou Forest, right? Whatever. As long as she fulfills what she promised me."
Suddenly, the expressions of the few people standing near Xue Ke changed.
The burly second offering directly possessed his martial soul.
"Clang—"
The cracked void—a figure flew out first.
In just one clash, the second offering was sent flying backward, heavily crashing into the palace wall.
The other Title Douluos also possessed their martial souls one after another.
A cold gleam swept over.
Including the 97th rank third offering, three Title Douluos were forced back seven or eight meters.
"Golden Crocodile, you're far inferior to Qian Daoliu. As for the others, merely so."
The person who walked out had a chilling sword intent. The soul rings around the Seven Kills Sword in his hand faintly emitted a murderous aura one by one.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red.
These were Sword Douluo's current soul ring colors.
Golden Crocodile Douluo dug himself out from the indented wall, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, shock and wariness on his face, his tone incredulous:
"Limit Douluo quasi-god realm. Sword Douluo Chen Xin, I didn't expect you've reached this level, and your ninth soul ring has actually become a hundred thousand year one?"
Quasi-god—that was on the same level as Qian Daoliu.
He was of a senior generation to Chen Xin, yet he had only just crossed 98th rank into 99th rank, and that was by borrowing the Star Dou Forest's foundation.
Now, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who should logically be at pseudo-demigod, roughly equal to himself—one of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's pillars of heaven-spanning white jade—had skipped demigod and directly reached quasi-god.
This advancement speed—even taking drugs wouldn't be this outrageous!
"Quasi-god, indeed." Sword Douluo lightly swung the Seven Kills Sword in his hand, his voice cold and凝. "Last time's victory over Qian Daoliu was not entirely fair. If there's a chance, I'll ask him for guidance again."
Back then, it was with the martial soul fusion skill that made Qian Daoliu wary.
But now, at the same quasi-god cultivation, plus his own comprehension of the Killing God Hypnos's experiences, the gap between him and Qian Daoliu had already shortened greatly.
Aside from Qian Daoliu having that cheat like the Angel God equipment, Sword Douluo didn't think he'd fear him.
"Your Excellency Sword Douluo, I wonder what guidance this late-night visit brings." Xue Ke's voice rang out as she stood from her position and slightly bowed toward Sword Douluo.