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The devastating news of Yu Tianxin's death instantly crushed Yu Xiaogang.
Among the direct descendants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, only four remained alive. With Yu Tianxin gone, only three were left.
How could they possibly achieve the great mission of reviving their family with just the three of them?
Tang San consoled him, "Teacher, you are now the Imperial Preceptor of a nation—you cannot act on emotions alone. The empire's burden rests on your shoulders, and you must pull yourself together."
"Yes, yes, yes," Yu Xiaogang took several deep breaths to steady his emotions.
Compared to Yu Tianxin's death, the position of Imperial Preceptor was far more important. Without Yu Tianxin, there was still Yu Tianheng.
In the future, he could give Yu Tianheng multiple wives to produce heirs—it wouldn't be a problem.
After leaving the palace, Tang San and Tang Xiao went their separate ways.
It had been over half a year since the dissolution of their sect—they couldn't delay any longer.
Tang Xiao, along with Meng Yiran, immediately headed back to Annan City to rebuild the sect.
To facilitate communication with the palace, Tang Xiao also established a Tang Sect office within Star Luo City. This allowed them to remotely manage the sect while issuing tasks to its disciples in a timely manner.
Not long after, Tang San received the details of his eighth trial—constructing the Abyssal Secret Realm.
The Rakshasa Goddess was the deity of malice. To build the secret realm, malice would need to serve as the catalyst, with human lives as the auxiliary component.
Now that they controlled the Star Luo Empire, rounding up a group of innocent people for sacrifice would be an easy task.
The challenge lay in how to instill malice into these individuals.
Criminals naturally harbored malice, but those who fit the criteria were few and far between.
Freshly imprisoned criminals might still harbor malice and could be utilized. However, those who had been incarcerated for a long time had already been ground down, becoming numb. These individuals would be useless.
…
Half a month later, at the Sky Sword Sect.
Gu Rong dropped off Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun at the border between the Star Luo and Tian Dou Empires before departing alone.
Knowing that the Sky Sword Sect was willing to help him reclaim the throne, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun disguised themselves and infiltrated the Tian Dou Empire, eventually reaching Tian Dou City.
The power transition in the Star Luo Empire had proceeded without issue, and the Tian Dou Empire seemed uninterested in taking advantage of the situation. Both sides coexisted peacefully.
For Dai Weisi, this was not a good sign.
If Dai Mubai's ascension to the throne led to frequent wars, he would inevitably lose the people's support. At that point, Dai Weisi could rally under the banner of revitalizing the empire and have a high chance of overthrowing Dai Mubai to ascend the throne of the Star Luo Empire.
However, the Star Luo Empire was now thriving. Even if he managed to raise an army, who would follow him?
A war without justification was bound to fail.
Sensing Dai Weisi's troubled thoughts, Zhu Zhuyun gently patted his shoulder. "Weisi, since the Sky Sword Sect is willing to help us, why don't we hear their perspective first?"
"We're too close to the situation to see clearly. We should listen to others' opinions."
Dai Weisi nodded seriously and rose to approach the Sky Sword Sect.
To his surprise, the guards of the Sky Sword Sect appeared rather lax. They didn't stop him from entering the sect but instead watched him enter.
What was going on?
Confused, Dai Weisi even lingered near the entrance several times.
But there were no surprises—the guards not only ignored him but seemed to regard him like a clown.
In reality, Ning Tianchen was now stationed at the Sky Sword Sect. Anyone who entertained thoughts of causing trouble would be captured by him immediately.
Moreover, during this time, he hadn't been idle. Through the power of the Asura God, he and Lou Gao had developed a special detection soul-guided device.
Anyone harboring malicious intent would be detected by the device when near the sect. If someone attempted to enter the Sky Sword Sect, a powerful individual would intervene.
With such a device, the Sky Sword Sect no longer feared destruction. Given that, why couldn't it become an open sect?
Within the sect, aside from some core areas being off-limits to outsiders, other places were free to visit.
As Ning Tianchen put it, this was called "being down-to-earth".
Soul masters aspiring to join a major force would feel more favorably toward the Sky Sword Sect after visiting it, making them more likely to join.
As for the guards stationed at the outermost perimeter of the sect, they were more like mascots. Their daily job, though technically guarding the gates, was relatively light.
Dai Weisi was unaware of this situation and found the Sky Sword Sect's behavior overly lax.
After entering the sect with Zhu Zhuyun, he couldn't help but ask, "Zhuyun, was the Sky Sword Sect this lax when you came before?"
Upon reflection, during Zhu Zhuyun's previous visits, she had greeted the gatekeepers and been let in—not directly entering the sect.
She didn't know why the Sky Sword Sect was so relaxed—or perhaps…
"Is it possible that the Sky Sword Sect knew we were coming and gave the guards prior notice?"
Dai Weisi initially thought this might be the case, but seeing a group of elderly women casually enter the Sky Sword Sect without being stopped made him feel a sense of absurdity.
However, he didn't dwell on it. His mission this time was to gain the Sky Sword Sect's support. If these trivial matters didn't concern the sect, why should an outsider like him care?
Their arrival in the city had already been noticed by Ning Tianchen.
As they approached a plaza in the Sky Sword Sect, a disciple led them into a meeting room.
Dugu Bo and Ning Tianchen had been waiting there for some time.
Aside from them, there was also Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Tian Ruyang, the master of the Snow Mountain Sect.
The two had come to discuss the next steps and happened to coincide with Dai Weisi's arrival.
Ning Rongrong, standing behind Ning Fengzhi, gestured for them to sit. "Please, take a seat."
Tian Ruyang chuckled lightly. "Rongrong just mentioned you, and here you are. Let's get straight to the point."
Dai Weisi was no novice—he understood the implications of this gathering.
Without his tacit approval and protection, the businesses of the upper three sects within the Star Luo Empire would inevitably suffer. Moreover, the Tang Sect had conflicts with them in the commercial sphere. The upper three sects' operations in the Star Luo Empire were likely struggling.
Dai Weisi clasped his hands respectfully. "Greetings to the three sect leaders and Lords Dugu and Tian. I believe the esteemed leaders are aware of the purpose of my visit."
As a junior and someone seeking assistance, he spoke up. "If the esteemed leaders can help me ascend the throne, aside from not betraying the empire's core interests, any other conditions can be negotiated. I'm willing to put it in writing."
Upon hearing this, Tian Ruyang and Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but admire Ning Tianchen's choice.
Allowing Dai Weisi to ascend the throne—this man might truly become a formidable ruler of the empire in the future. To hold onto his principles at this stage showed he was far stronger than Dai Mubai.
However, having lost his position, Dai Weisi's future actions were no longer entirely up to him.
Ning Fengzhi didn't comment. "Please sit. Let's discuss this calmly."
The first refusal to sit was merely a gesture of respect expected from a junior. A second refusal would appear disrespectful.
"We can help you reclaim the throne," Ning Tianchen said.
Dai Weisi immediately stood up and bowed deeply. "Young Lord Ning, do you mean it?"
Dugu Bo snorted softly. "Sit down and talk properly!"
Ning Tianchen continued, "Of course, it's no joke. However, now is not the right time."
"Please clarify, Young Lord Ning," Zhu Zhuyun interjected.
Fearing Dai Weisi's potential outburst might displease the sect leaders, she spoke on his behalf.
Ning Tianchen added, "It hasn't even been a month since the palace coup. I can assemble an army for you right now and announce your reclaiming of the throne."
"But don't you think it's too soon?"
Dai Weisi had been rescued and reached Tian Dou City in less than a month. If he could raise an army this quickly, anyone with eyes could see it was premeditated.
Realizing this, Dai Weisi forced a dry laugh and bowed. "Young Lord Ning's words are indeed correct. I was too impatient. This matter is significant and requires careful deliberation."
Tian Ruyang didn't elaborate further but pushed two documents in front of Dai Weisi.
"These two documents outline two choices for you. Please read them carefully—your decision will affect your future."
The documents had been prepared long ago; it just so happened that Dai Weisi arrived today.
Opening one of the documents and reading just the first line, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's eyes widened in shock.
The content was simple: the upper three sects, the Tian Dou Empire, and the Spirit Hall would assist him in reclaiming the Star Luo Empire.
However, the condition was that he would no longer be an emperor but a standing committee member of the Douluo Federation, participating in discussions about the continent's affairs.
This plan resembled a continental unification plan—and even Xue Qinghe, the emperor of the Tian Dou Empire, had agreed to its contents.
Why would Xue Qinghe willingly relinquish imperial power?
Dai Weisi was filled with confusion.
How could he know that Xue Qinghe was merely a puppet?
If he were in Xue Qinghe's position, he would never agree.
But now, it seemed he didn't have much choice.
A prince accused of treason and defeated in the race for the throne—once exposed, he would face a life of imprisonment.
Signing this agreement would at least allow him to participate in continental affairs and remain among the upper echelons.
Ning Tianchen knew Dai Weisi wouldn't give up easily, but future governance of the continent required talent, and Dai Weisi was one of the most suitable candidates.
As always, if Dai Weisi's actions pleased him, he would enjoy endless benefits in the future. If not, he would cease to exist.
Dai Weisi turned his gaze to the other document—he still had another option.
But upon opening the second document, he was utterly stunned.
This document instructed him to dissolve the Star Luo royal family and declare the empire's integration into the Douluo Federation after reclaiming the throne. Furthermore, he would live as a wealthy commoner and no longer participate in politics.
Could the Star Luo royal family really be dissolved just like that?
He harbored thoughts of resistance, but he understood that these forces could place him on the throne and just as easily replace him with someone else—it was all just a formality.
The first document ensured he retained some political influence, while the second meant the Dai family would be erased from history.
A bitter smile involuntarily crossed his lips.
If he were currently the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, facing pressure from the upper three sects, the Tian Dou Empire, and the Spirit Hall, he would be powerless to resist.
He was grateful that he still had the power to choose. Otherwise, once Star Luo City fell, he would face certain death.
With this in mind, Dai Weisi signed the first document with a bitter expression and said weakly, "Esteemed sect leaders and seniors, I understand. From now on, I will follow your instructions."
"But I have one more question—I seek an accurate answer."
Receiving affirmation, he continued, "I want to know whether my position as a standing committee member of the Douluo Federation can be passed down to my descendants?"
"No," Ning Tianchen shook his head. "The world needs progress, and hereditary systems will no longer prevail!"
"If your descendants wish to succeed you, they must first gain experience at the grassroots level and achieve corresponding accomplishments. Later, they will be elected by the people to hold relevant positions. If they perform well, the people will naturally know who to elect, and the process will be absolutely fair and just."
Dai Weisi felt a tinge of disappointment, but upon reflection, he found this system intriguing.
Wasn't his ambition to lead the Star Luo Empire to prosperity?
Even though his power would be significantly diluted after the continent's unification, working alongside like-minded individuals didn't seem so bad.
"Alright, I'll do as you say," Dai Weisi declared.
Ning Tianchen wasn't surprised.
First, Dai Weisi wasn't an old-fashioned relic but a young man.
Young people were more receptive to new ideas, and after the unification of the continent, society would undeniably progress.
Next, they discussed some details.
Later that evening, the meeting concluded, and Dai Weisi was settled within the Sky Sword Sect without restriction of movement.
Ning Tianchen knew he wouldn't speak recklessly to outsiders and reminded him to visit the Blacksmith Association.
Though the Blacksmith Association hadn't changed its name, its main business had long shifted from iron tools to soul-guided devices.
The Blacksmith Association bore witness to the development of the blacksmithing industry, and Lou Gao and all blacksmith-soul mentors believed the name should be preserved.
…
Time flew by, and three months passed.
During this period, everything on the Douluo Continent remained peaceful, with no signs of war.
However, significant events occurred within the Star Luo Palace and the Tang Sect. First, the upper three sects had already withdrawn their chambers of commerce, rendering Tang Xiao's plan to extract hefty taxes from them impossible.
Without a fixed source of income, the palace was on the verge of running out of funds. Eventually, Yu Xiaogang turned his attention to the nobility.
The primary targets were Dai Weisi's staunch supporters.
These noble families had accumulated unimaginable wealth over generations.
After confiscating the assets of several households, the palace secured funding for several years to come.
Yu Xiaogang wasn't one to drain resources completely. Several consecutive confiscations had already created a climate of fear in the court.
The empire still needed these officials to govern. Without them, all official duties would fall on him, which would be exhausting.
To ease tensions, Dai Mubai publicly declared in court—"The main culprits have been punished; others will not be held accountable for past actions."
With this, the officials' anxieties finally eased.
Meanwhile, these individuals secretly continued their struggles to seize the positions formerly occupied by the "main culprits," oblivious to the fact that imperial power had already shifted.
On the other side.
After much preparation, Dai Mubai and Yu Xiaogang had gathered the first batch of individuals to be sacrificed to the Rakshasa Goddess for Tang San.
These people were conscripted under the guise of corvée labor and naturally harbored resentment.
With some conditioning, the "malice" in their hearts would meet the Rakshasa Goddess's standards.
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