💖 If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
The night had fallen over Heaven Dou City, but the Imperial Palace was far from dark. Thousands of lamps burned brightly, yet the usual warmth of the palace was gone. Instead, a heavy and murderous silence filled the air. It was a suffocating feeling that made the patrolling guards walk with heavier steps. Every breath felt like a struggle against an invisible weight.
Outside the sleeping quarters of Emperor Xue Ye, the changes were even more obvious. Usually, the Royal Knights guarded this sacred place. They were known for their bright armor and proud spirits. But tonight, they were missing.
In their place stood groups of Spirit Masters wearing plain, dark robes. Their eyes were cold, and they gave off a dangerous aura. Next to them were special soldiers in heavy armor, holding long spears with steady hands.
These strangers surrounded the palace so tightly that not even a drop of water could get through. They did not speak, but their spirit power was linked together. This created an invisible wall that blocked anyone from entering or leaving. The palace, which was the symbol of the empire's power, had become a cage.
Two figures walked quickly down the main path toward the sleeping quarters. The man in front wore the elegant robes of a scholar. His face was usually gentle, but now it was filled with worry. This was Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Walking right behind him was an old man dressed in white. He moved with the sharpness of a blade. This was the Titled Douluo, Chen Xin, also known as Sword Douluo.
As they reached the edge of the guard zone, several soldiers stepped forward. They crossed their long spears to block the path. Their movements were rude and sudden.
"Stop! This area is a forbidden land! Get away now!" the captain of the guards shouted. His voice had no emotion, like a machine.
Ning Fengzhi stopped. He did not lose his temper. He was a man of great patience. He slowly reached into his robes and pulled out a golden token. It was beautifully carved with the image of a swan. He held it up so the guards could see it clearly.
"I am Ning Fengzhi. I am the School Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and a Guest Elder of this empire. I have urgent news for His Majesty. This golden plaque was given to me by the Emperor himself. Seeing this plaque is the same as seeing the Emperor. Why are you blocking me? Step aside," he said. His voice was calm, but it had the strength of a true leader. He hoped his high status and the imperial token would be enough to open the path.
The captain did not look impressed. He glanced at the golden plaque with cold eyes. To him, the token meant nothing. His expression did not change at all as he spoke again, and his tone was even harsher than before.
"School Master Ning, we are under the orders of the Crown Prince. His Majesty is very sick and needs to rest. No one is allowed to disturb him. The Crown Prince said that without his personal command or a written note, no one gets in. That includes Guest Elders with golden plaques. You cannot enter."
The captain pushed his spear forward half an inch. He was making it clear that he would fight if he had to. He kept mentioning the Crown Prince to show who was really in charge now.
Ning Fengzhi felt his heart sink. He realized that the golden plaque, which usually gave him total freedom in the palace, was now just a piece of metal. The regular guards were gone, replaced by unknown Spirit Masters and strange soldiers. It was clear now that the palace had been taken over. Emperor Xue Ye was likely a prisoner in his own room, and his illness might be a lie.
He looked at Sword Douluo. Chen Xin's eyes were sharp, and a faint sword aura began to swirl around him. He was ready to attack, but Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly. Forcing their way in would be a mistake. Ning Fengzhi could feel many powerful spirits hiding in the shadows. Some of them felt as strong as Titled Douluos. If they started a fight here, they might not survive.
"Where is the Crown Prince then? I have important business to discuss with him," Ning Fengzhi asked, hiding his anger behind a polite mask.
The captain replied, "His Highness is busy with state affairs. He cannot see you right now. If you have a message, you can wait in the side hall or come back another day."
The answer was perfect. It left Ning Fengzhi with no way to argue. He knew he would not see the Emperor today. The trap was already set, and the enemy was waiting for him to make a move.
"Fine. I will return another day to visit His Majesty. Just make sure he is safe," Ning Fengzhi said. His voice was cold as he tucked the golden plaque away. He nodded to Sword Douluo, and the two of them turned around. They walked away slowly. Their shadows looked long and heavy under the palace lights.
As soon as they were far enough away from the guards, the calm look on Ning Fengzhi's face disappeared. He looked very serious. He didn't turn his head, but he used his spirit power to send a private message directly into Chen Xin's ear.
"Uncle Jian, things are worse than I thought. The guards have been replaced, and my token is useless. The Crown Prince might be behind this, or he might be a hostage himself. The Emperor is in great danger. This palace is now a dragon's pond and a tiger's den. We cannot fight them alone."
He paused for a second before continuing his instructions.
"You need to leave right now. Go to the Moon Pavilion and find Tang Xiao, the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. Tell him everything. Tell him he must bring his elite members here immediately. We need their strength. Be as fast as you can!"
Sword Douluo gave a tiny nod. He sent a message back the same way. "I understand. But what about you, Sect Master?"
"I will go back to our mansion for now. I need to contact the other officials and Marshal Ge Long. We need to put pressure on the palace from the outside. Go quickly, and be careful," Ning Fengzhi replied.
Chen Xin didn't say another word. As they turned a corner behind a thick palace wall, he vanished. He turned into a blur of light, moving like a silent sword through the dark. He didn't even make a sound as he raced toward the Moon Pavilion.
Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince's mansion, the atmosphere was very different. The courtyard was peaceful and quiet. Qian Renxue, still disguised as the gentle Prince Xue Qinghe, was holding a jade pot. She was slowly watering a rare flower called the Golden Stamen Snow Orchid. The moonlight made her look like a prince who didn't care about politics or power.
Suddenly, the air near her began to ripple like water. A golden light flashed, and a man appeared out of nowhere. It was the Snake Lance Douluo. He bowed his head slightly toward her.
"Young Lord," he whispered. "An urgent message just came from Spirit City."
Qian Renxue didn't stop watering the flower. she just tilted her head a little to show she was listening.
"The news is true. The Clear Sky Sect has come out of hiding. Tang Xiao is here in the city. Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo, is also with them," Snake Lance Douluo reported.
Qian Renxue's hand shook just a tiny bit, but the water kept flowing smoothly. "Is that so?" she asked softly. Her voice didn't show any emotion at all.
Snake Lance Douluo continued. He sounded excited and a bit bloodthirsty. "We received orders from both the Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong, and the High Priest. Our plan has changed. The other Priests are already on their way here."
He stepped closer. "We aren't just taking over the Heaven Dou Empire anymore. We are going to use this chance to catch all the core members of the Clear Sky Sect. Since they are all in the city, we can wipe them out at once!"
Qian Renxue finally stopped watering the flower. She stood still for a long moment.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is already broken. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is gone," she said quietly. "If we destroy the Clear Sky Sect now, the Upper Three Sects will be gone forever. Spirit Hall will have no one left to stop us from ruling the entire continent."
The courtyard was silent again. The only sound was the last few drops of water falling from the jade pot. Qian Renxue set the pot down on a stone table and turned around. The face of Xue Qinghe was gone. Her eyes were cold and sharp, glowing with a faint golden light. She looked toward the Imperial Palace.
"Capturing them all... the Clear Sky Sect... this really is the perfect time," she muttered to herself.
She looked at Snake Lance Douluo and gave her orders. "Tell everyone to stay with the original plan. Keep the Imperial Palace under total control. We must make sure the Emperor cannot be rescued. He is the bait.
At the same time, start watching every member of the Clear Sky Sect in the city. Do not let them know we are following them. Once the Priests arrive from Spirit City, we will close the net and finish this."
"Yes, Young Lord!" Snake Lance Douluo bowed deeply and vanished into the shadows again.
The night in Heaven Dou City grew darker and colder. Under the peaceful surface, a deadly trap was being set. The killing intent was spreading through the streets like a spider's web, waiting for the prey to fall in. Everything was ready for the final battle.