The autumn wind blew bleak and chill, carrying with it a sharp, cutting coldness.
Amid the grim, imposing presence of the Heaven Dou Empire's soldiers, Qian Renxue, accompanied by Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo, left the imperial city in a battered and humiliating state.
According to the plan, Chen Feng had not killed Qian Renxue. As promised, he let her go.
Sometimes, keeping someone alive was far more useful than killing them—especially someone who had just learned that her father's death was at the hands of her mother. With Qian Renxue's temperament, could she truly remain indifferent?
Watching the three figures vanish into the distance, the corner of Chen Feng's lips lifted ever so slightly.
Back within the imperial capital.
The once-glorious crown prince's mansion was now nothing more than ruins; its grand palaces had collapsed into rubble and broken walls.
On a block of stone sat Emperor Xue Ye, flanked by several high-ranking officials of the empire. His expression was one of defeat, his spirit utterly drained.
For him, discovering that Qian Renxue had been impersonating his beloved son Xue Qinghe was a blow too heavy to bear.
Yet even so, for the sake of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye could not allow himself to sink into despair.
"Sect Master Ning, Elder Chen Feng," Emperor Xue Ye lowered his tone, "the road ahead is uncertain. Please, show me the way."
He had long since seen through the truth—against the Spirit Hall's soul master legions, only soul masters themselves could stand a chance at resisting.
And now, the strongest force he could depend on was none other than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, represented here by Ning Fengzhi and Chen Feng.
Ning Fengzhi sighed deeply, his face full of grief. Xue Qinghe had been his disciple, and as a teacher, he had been deceived without the slightest inkling.
"Your Majesty… please punish me."
Emperor Xue Ye shook his head, waving his hand dismissively. "Even I, as his father, did not see through the disguise. How could you have? Sect Master Ning, what matters now is not blame, but that we gather ourselves and decide how to face the Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi gave a bitter smile. "Your Majesty, my heart is in turmoil. Perhaps… we should first hear Elder Chen Feng's opinion."
At once, every gaze turned to Chen Feng.
This battle had proven his might. He had bested Qian Renxue in combat, displaying strength that rivaled even a Titled Douluo. No one dared underestimate him any longer.
And when they remembered that he was destined to inherit the power of a god, the heavy weight pressing upon their hearts lightened. Perhaps, after all, Spirit Hall was not invincible.
After all, could even a legion of Titled Douluo stand against a true god?
The only concern lay in Qian Renxue. Once she returned, would she turn against Bibi Dong—or would they put aside their hatred and join hands? If they truly joined forces, then even with godhood, could Chen Feng withstand two divine powers at once?
But this was only the speculation of outsiders. In truth, the Shura God's combat strength was in no way comparable to that of the Angel God or Rakshasa God. And besides, vengeance for her father's death was not something Qian Renxue could simply let go.
Even if she did not fight Bibi Dong to the death, she would never remain by her side again.
Chen Feng stepped forward and spoke clearly:
"Your Majesty, everyone, in my opinion, our top priority should be to strengthen ourselves and gather allies."
"First, we must quickly send envoys to win over the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Secondly, though the Clear Sky Sect has secluded itself from the world, we must attempt to persuade them to join us. Add to this the four lower sects and other powerful clans. As long as they do not submit to Spirit Hall, we must draw them to our side."
The officials nodded in agreement. His plan was steady and realistic—and for now, it seemed the only path available.
If they could bring both the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan into alliance, then they would finally have the confidence to stand against Spirit Hall.
After all, the Titled Douluo of the Upper Three Sects were leagues above the likes of Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo; they were forces of their own.
Chen Feng continued, "The Po Clan, the Yu Clan, and the new site of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—our relocation will be complete within a year. During this time, we must also integrate the major advanced soul master academies. Their strength is in no way inferior to some mid-sized sects."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded. For the royal family, unifying the academies was not difficult. But as for the rest, that would fall to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Spirit City.
The Pope's Hall.
Bibi Dong leaned against the grand throne, pressing a slender hand to her forehead.
Kneeling below, Chrysanthemum Douluo trembled in fear.
"Useless. A pack of useless trash!"
"Eight Titled Douluo dispatched, and not only did you fail to kill Chen Feng, you even lost Ghost Douluo! Tell me, what do I need you for?!"
Her aura flared violently. The suffocating pressure made Chrysanthemum Douluo feel as though an invisible hand was crushing his throat.
He bowed even lower in terror.
"Y-Your Holiness… please, calm your anger…"
Ever since Ghost Douluo's death, Bibi Dong's patience with him had frayed thinner by the day. She scolded him at the slightest thing, even forcing him to kneel with sheer soul power.
Such humiliation had never happened before.
And he knew why—without Ghost Douluo, their unparalleled Dual Polarization Domain no longer existed. His worth had plummeted.
"It's all because of that Chen Feng…" Chrysanthemum Douluo muttered cautiously. "No one could have imagined… that he inherited the power of a god."
At this, Bibi Dong did not erupt again. Instead, a faint, sinister violet light began to gather at her brow.
"The power of a god… hmph. You've reminded me. That boy grows far too quickly. It seems my plans must be advanced."
She whispered to herself coldly.
Rising from her throne, she walked down the steps, a faint fragrance brushing past Chrysanthemum Douluo. Her voice drifted behind her:
"Porcupinefish and Snake Lance have been carrying out secret missions in the Heaven Dou Empire. Summon the elders of the Douluo Hall. We're going to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Yes!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo exhaled in relief as he crawled to his feet, slowly retreating from the Pope's Hall.
Only once outside did he dare let out a long breath, though his back was already drenched in cold sweat.
Casting one last wary glance back, he clenched his teeth and hurried toward the Douluo Hall.
There, four red-robed elders stood waiting. Upon his arrival, they rose simultaneously.
"Orders?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo straightened slightly, regaining a shred of his pride. In the eyes of others, he was still the Pope's most trusted subordinate.
"Her Holiness commands: we depart immediately for the Star Dou Great Forest, to assist her in hunting a spirit ring."
The four elders said nothing more, quietly falling in line behind him.
Star Dou Great Forest. Spirit ring.
Everyone instantly knew the true target.
It could only be the rulers of the forest—the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python.