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Riding his flying tool-sword, Lan Minghua sneered at the message he had just received from Wu Song.
"As expected of you, Flender. You really want to become the next Ning Fengzhi, don't you?"
On the surface, Flender's actions seemed harmless—he had simply passed on a letter and a message on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He thought it was a small, inconsequential favor.
But that was only what he believed.
In the eyes of both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall, this was a breakthrough, a wedge that could deal a heavy blow to the Heavenly Dragon Gang.
Moreover, if Tang San were to accept the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's offer of a marriage, would the neutral Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect remain neutral?
One must not forget that Yu Xiaogang was Tang San's teacher, and also the biological son of Yu Yuanzhen, the current sect master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. Although Yu Xiaogang had long been expelled, he was still Yu Yuanzhen's son.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was not foolish. If the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were to join forces, their combined strength would be formidable. If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect did nothing, it would only be a matter of time before Spirit Hall attacked it.
Thus, this letter reaching Tang San's hands carried weight that could not be underestimated.
Flender thought he was doing a small favor, not realizing this was all part of Bone Douluo's calculation. Having spent so long by Ning Fengzhi's side, how could he not have learned such a simple scheme?
Furthermore, Bone Douluo made no mention of Tang San's hidden weapons to anyone, not even to Emperor Xue Ye. This was because Tang San's hidden weapons were far too valuable to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; with them, the sect would no longer need to rely heavily on external battle spirit masters.
Bone Douluo's move could be described as killing multiple birds with one stone. All he had to pay was a "generous reward" to Flender, and yet he had achieved so much. And to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, such a reward was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
By acting this way, Flender also made himself a convenient weakness through which other forces could target both the Heavenly Dragon Gang and Lan Minghua. After all, a person who can be bribed once can be bribed again. Those people wouldn't believe Flender could resist temptation forever.
So, was this really just about delivering a letter?
Some might argue, "Wouldn't it be the same if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect directly informed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect of the marriage alliance?"
No, it was not the same. Empty words were not enough to truly convince the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. Only tangible proof carried true weight.
Lan Minghua couldn't tell if Flender was genuinely foolish or just pretending.
"Flender, I hope you can withstand temptation. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to turn you into the next Ning Fengzhi."
Lan Minghua did not hold Flender in high regard. Neither his current role as messenger nor his retreat during Tang Hao's assault left him with a favorable impression.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Lan Minghua accelerated toward the Frozen Forest. After all, the growth of Oscar and the others would bring him a wealth of valuable teacher's points.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall of Spirit Hall's Pope's Palace...
Bibi Dong sat in her chair, listening to the reports of her subordinates.
"Your Holiness, Dugu Bo has entered Shrek Academy and appears to have a close connection with Lan Minghua."
"Someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has made contact with Shrek's headmaster Flender and handed something over to him."
"Recently, the Clear Sky Sect has been making major moves and has established close ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, however, has yet to take action."
As she listened, Bibi Dong's expression grew increasingly cold.
"So the Upper Three Sects are still connected. United by a common cause? It certainly seems that way."
Yet, her expression soon relaxed, returning to its usual indifference.
Perhaps, before Lan Minghua appeared, this news might have caused her some headaches. But now, confirming that the Upper Three Sects were bound together was not a threat—it was an opportunity for Spirit Hall.
After all, when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits.
Lan Minghua was overwhelmingly powerful, having easily injured both Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, two Titled Douluo. Moreover, within the Heavenly Dragon Gang, there was at least one more Titled Douluo possessing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. Adding in the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, the Heavenly Dragon Gang's strength was not to be underestimated.
Even if the Upper Three Sects joined forces, they might not be able to defeat the Heavenly Dragon Gang. Spirit Hall, therefore, only needed to sit back, watch, and wait to reap the benefits.
After a moment's thought, Bibi Dong gave her orders. "Continue observing. Report to me immediately if there is any movement."
"Yes, Your Holiness," her subordinates replied respectfully before retreating.
The hall was left in silence, with only Bibi Dong remaining. Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were still receiving treatment, leaving her utterly alone, with no one to converse with.
Clenching her fists, she muttered in a voice only she could hear, "Xiaogang, give me a little more time. Soon, we will be together again."
Her desire to conquer the continent was not solely for Spirit Hall. Hidden within was her own personal longing. Love can make one hopelessly irrational.
In the Elder Hall, several elders sat in their designated seats.
They, too, had learned of the events in the Pope's Palace at the very first moment.
Upon hearing the news, the elder seated second chuckled disdainfully. "Hmph. That crazy woman is as patient as ever. Even with Yue Guan and Gui Mei injured so badly, she remains indifferent."
This elder was none other than the second elder of the Elder Hall—the Golden Crocodile Douluo, a Rank 98 Titled Douluo.
The other elders, upon hearing this, showed no concern. Some even echoed his words.
Although the Elder Hall was technically part of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong could not command its Titled Douluo. The only one with authority over them was Qian Daoliu. Thus, the elders held little respect for Bibi Dong.
Their discussions were filled with scornful remarks about her.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the foremost seat. The elders immediately rose to their feet and bowed respectfully.
"Grand Elder."
Indeed, it was none other than the Elder Hall's Grand Elder, Qian Daoliu, a Rank 99 Limit Douluo.
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, as though he had not heard their earlier words. Looking over the assembly, he spoke softly, "Everyone, Xiaoxue has taken an interest in Lan Minghua and the Heavenly Dragon Gang. Who among you is willing to make the trip and bring them back?"
Qian Daoliu spoke so confidently because he had absolute faith in the Elder Hall's strength. After all, the weakest Titled Douluo among them was still Rank 96. What did the so-called Upper Three Sects amount to? Which of them dared to bark in front of Spirit Hall?
Though arrogant, the elders were not entirely reckless. Even Sword Douluo Chen Xin, a Rank 96 Titled Douluo, had lost both arms to this person. Lan Minghua was at least a Rank 97 Titled Douluo, if not stronger.
Thus, both Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo remained silent, waiting for someone else to accept the task.
Seeing no volunteers, Qian Daoliu was not angered. Instead, he said calmly, "Since no one wishes to go, then this old man will make the trip himself."
His words shocked the entire hall. None had expected that Qian Daoliu would take action personally.
Just then, the fourth elder, the Lion Douluo, stepped forward. "Grand Elder, allow me to go in your stead."
Qian Daoliu nodded. He trusted the Lion Douluo, whose spirit power had reached Rank 97, making him one of the strongest within the hall. But against Lan Minghua, one Lion Douluo was not enough to ease Qian Daoliu's concerns.
So he added, "Take Snake Spear Douluo and Thorn Dragon Douluo with you, so you can watch each other's backs."
"Yes, Grand Elder."
Although the Lion Douluo was arrogant by nature, he did not dare be careless when facing someone who had easily defeated Sword Douluo. With two more Titled Douluo accompanying him, he would at least have some assurance.
Although Snake Spear Douluo and Thorn Dragon Douluo belonged to the Elder Hall, none would dare defy Qian Daoliu's orders.
Soon, three figures from Spirit Hall departed toward the northern regions of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Watching this unfold, a trace of mockery flickered deep within Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Go on then. Best if none of you return alive."
(End of Chapter)