Yu Yuanzhen carefully observed Ning Fengzhi's expression and then glanced at Li Xun. He noticed that everyone in the reception room was wearing a look of surprise.
"Sect Master Ning, please don't misunderstand. I'm not here to question your sect. I've come to seek your assistance in locating Tianheng, leveraging your influence in this region."
Yu Yuanzhen shook his head with a bitter smile. Having lived for so many years, he wouldn't be easily provoked by Ma Hongjun's words.
However, he and Tianheng had indeed had a minor conflict with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School a few years ago, so there was still some suspicion.
Hearing Yu Yuanzhen's words, Ning Fengzhi's furrowed brows gradually relaxed. "Sect Master Yu, rest assured. The Upper Three Sects are closely connected, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will certainly help with this small matter."
"Moreover, I can assure you that our sect has not taken any action against your Yu Tianheng."
"Indeed, old dragon, I don't know what you're thinking. If we really wanted to act, would we have waited until now?" Bone Douluo chuckled.
Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo also nodded at Yu Yuanzhen, indicating that they had not taken any action.
Seeing everyone so forthright, Yu Yuanzhen's tense mind relaxed a bit, and he cupped his hands in apology. "Gentlemen, I've truly come here seeking help. Please don't misunderstand."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will not stand idly by," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"Old dragon, you can rest assured. If we find anyone harming your sect's disciples, we will take action," Dugu Bo and Bone Douluo said with a smile.
"Then I thank you all," Yu Yuanzhen said, standing up and cupping his hands. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.
After seeing Yu Yuanzhen off, Li Xun and the others returned to the reception room and exchanged glances.
Dugu Bo stroked his chin and said, "The old dragon might keep searching for a while. Should we inform him of Yu Tianheng's body's location?"
"Let's tell him after some time," Ning Fengzhi sighed. Today's calm and lengthy conversation with the old dragon had left him with many thoughts.
He hadn't expected that the once closely allied Upper Three Sects would drift apart due to their own interests. "Truly, the world is unpredictable."
"Teacher, that's not appropriate," Li Xun shook his head, seeing Ning Fengzhi's sentimentality. "Yu Tianheng wasn't killed by us, so why should the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School get involved? Preserving the scene as it is would be the best choice."
"Moreover, Grandpa Dugu indirectly helped avenge Yu Tianheng."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "Wouldn't the old dragon have to thank me then?"
With Dugu Bo's interjection, everyone exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere lightened.
"Teacher, there's one more thing," Li Xun pondered for a moment. "Pope Bibi Dong might be coming to Heavenly Dou soon. We need to prepare."
"Oh? Do you know why she's coming this time?" Ning Fengzhi's expression turned serious.
The Pope's travels were no small matter, as the Spirit Hall was not only the strongest force on the continent but also controlled territories comparable to a kingdom. It could almost be called a third empire.
"On the surface, they came to inquire about Emperor Xue Ye's illness," Li Xun said with a smile, shaking his head. "But in reality, there's a high probability they came for Qian Renxue and Yu Xiaogang. However, I'm not sure about the exact proportion."
After saying this, Li Xun recounted how he had nearly driven Yu Xiaogang into a corner using the Papal Token. He also briefly summarized the past relationship between Xiaogang and Bibidong.
After hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo had mixed expressions. Qian Renxue was about to ascend the throne, and Spirit Hall was on the verge of taking control of Heavenly Dou. It was understandable that Bibidong would come to inspect the fruits of her victory.
But they never expected Bibidong to have a connection with a man who couldn't even break through the 30th level.
Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brow, feeling somewhat troubled. "Could this affect us?"
In previous years, he had thought joining Spirit Hall would be a simple matter. But as his interactions with Spirit Hall deepened, Ning Fengzhi increasingly felt that the waters of Spirit Hall were murky.
Especially now that Yu Xiaogang was suspected of having ties with the Pope.
"There will be some impact, but as long as we support Qian Renxue and keep her at the forefront, we'll be fine."
Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, Li Xun became serious. "Actually, all of this traces back to Tang Hao and his son, as well as that 100,000 Year Soul Beast."
"Teacher, esteemed elders, don't you think it's absurd that with so many people in our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, we couldn't detect a 100,000 Year Soul Beast?"
"Moreover, when it entered our territory, we didn't take action. Couldn't this lead to speculation? For example, that the Soul Beast might have connections with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"
Li Xun unconsciously tapped the table. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is strong now. We have three Title Douluos within the sect, and below us are powerful allies like Yang Wudi, Peerless Dragon-Serpent, and the Yu Clan. Yet, we managed to resist the temptation of a 100,000 Year Soul Beast. You can imagine the concerns we must have."
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment and nodded. "Xiao Xun is right. Given the enmity between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could easily be accused of withholding information. This would be detrimental to our future development."
Sword Douluo frowned. "Could we pretend we didn't know and just let it pass? During the preliminary matches, I noticed that the 100,000 Year Soul Beast didn't appear on the field. Perhaps they've already come up with a solution internally."
"It's difficult. Since our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has had conflicts with Shrek Academy, it's impossible not to investigate their background," Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Xiao Xun, what did you mean earlier about putting Qian Renxue at the forefront?"
Li Xun carefully chose his words. "Teacher, based on my understanding of Spirit Hall over the past few years, it seems their desire for revenge against the Clear Sky Sect isn't as strong as we thought. So, I suspect there might be more to the death of Qian Xunji."
Ning Fengzhi immediately perked up. Sword Douluo and the others also leaned in. "Are you suggesting that Bibidong might have orchestrated it to seize power?"
"But how could Qiandao Liu, as Qian Xunji's father, allow this to happen?"
Li Xun chuckled. "Teacher, Qian Renxue is actually Bibidong's daughter. This is something Qian Renxue personally told me."
"What?" This revelation left everyone stunned.
They knew Qian Renxue was Qian Xunji's daughter, but they never expected her to also share a blood relation with Bibidong, the former Holy Maiden.
"Truly unexpected."
Ning Fengzhi rubbed his temples. "Bibidong and Yu Xiaogang seem to have unresolved feelings from the past, and this also involves the cause of Qian Xunji's death. Xiao Xun, are you trying to divert Qian Renxue's attention to this matter?"
Li Xun nodded. "Yes, Teacher. I've already told Qian Renxue about Tang Hao threatening us, but I haven't revealed Tang San's identity to her yet."
"As long as Bibidong accidentally discovers Tang San's identity, Yu Xiaogang definitely won't stand by and watch his beloved disciple come to harm."
"At that point, it'll just be a matter of who Bibidong cares about more—Qian Renxue or Yu Xiaogang."
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/QueenTL
Thanks!