Ning Fengzhi set down the teacup in his hand, inclined his head slightly, and his expression became humble yet solemn.
"Your Majesty, regarding that young man called Chen Yi and that mysterious expert behind him, what I know is indeed very limited. It's as if they both suddenly appeared out of nowhere—before this, there was no record of them on the continent."
"The only word I can use to describe them is: powerful."
Ning Fengzhi paused, then turned his gaze to the Bone Douluo, Chen Xin, beside him.
"Uncle Bone crossed blows with that old man, if only for a brief moment. He has the most direct feeling for that person's strength. Uncle Sword, you should explain."
Chen Xin nodded slightly. He remained standing as before, but as soon as he spoke, the entire atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze over.
"I've already compared notes with Gu Rong in detail about what happened that day. According to his description, the power of that mysterious expert is simply unfathomable."
Chen Xin's voice was calm, but each word was heavy.
"Based on Gu Rong's judgment, that person's soul power cultivation is likely even higher than my father's once was."
"What?!"
The instant these words left his mouth, the Xue Emperor's pupils contracted sharply. He couldn't help but let out a low exclamation.
Even Xue Qinghe's always-serene face finally showed a clear fluctuation; his eyes turned keen.
Prince Xue Xing also drew in a sudden breath. The Sword Douluo's father had been the peerless Title Douluo of the previous generation—his sword arts were godlike, and his cultivation had reached Rank 97. Years ago, he had exchanged blows with Qian Daoliu of the Spirit Hall, the Seraphim Douluo.
To be above that level—what kind of concept was that?
Chen Xin ignored their reactions; his own tone unconsciously carried a rare solemnity.
"According to Gu Rong's account, that person's soul power level can at least be estimated at the peak of Rank 97, or perhaps… even higher."
"But that's not the most frightening part."
His gaze swept across everyone present as he continued in a low voice.
"With just a single glance, that man completely suppressed Gu Rong's movements. Gu Rong almost couldn't circulate his soul power at all."
"A suppressing… gaze?!"
The Xue Emperor's voice turned hoarse with disbelief.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong—Rank 95, a defense-type Title Douluo, reputed as one of the most enigmatic experts on the continent. His defensive power could be said to stand at the very peak of the land—yet he had been suppressed by a glance?
"Yes."
Chen Xin nodded to confirm, a sword-like glint flashing through his eyes.
"In other words, that person is most likely an extremely rare spiritual-type Title Douluo on the Douluo Continent. Not only has he become a Title Douluo, but his spiritual power itself has already reached the realm of transformation."
"Chen Yi's spirit dealt a heavy blow to the Fourth Prince. The source of that technique is very likely inherited from this mysterious spiritual expert."
He exhaled a turbid breath, then delivered a conclusion that made everyone's hearts tremble even more.
"From Gu Rong's feelings and my own assessment, even if that mysterious expert's overall cultivation hasn't actually reached the legendary Rank 99—Ultimate Douluo level—in terms of spiritual power alone… he has already touched, or even stepped into, that realm!"
"Rank 99… spiritual power… Ultimate Douluo…"
Those words were like an explosive thunderclap, detonating in the hearts of everyone in the hall.
Even Xue Qinghe's face changed; clearly, the strength of the other party had far exceeded his expectations.
The Xue Emperor leaned back slightly, resting against the dragon throne. His fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest as his expression continuously shifted.
Rank 99—that was the legendary boundary. Across the entire continent, the only ones known to have reached that level were Qian Daoliu of the Spirit Hall's Worship Hall, and the long-vanished Tang Chen.
Now, there might be a third person—an existence who had at least reached that level in some crucial domain. And what was worse, this person was of the most bizarre and hardest-to-guard-against spiritual type. With such terrifying spiritual power, his range of lethal influence would likely be no weaker than Du Gubo's poison. Paired with a horrifying soul power cultivation, whether fighting alone or facing many, such a man would stand at the absolute apex of the Soul Master world!
Ning Fengzhi sighed lightly and added, "Your Majesty, if what Uncle Sword said is correct, then the existence of such an expert carries extremely grave implications."
"A spiritual-type pinnacle Title Douluo—his deterrent power and the difficulty of dealing with him are very likely to surpass that of ordinary experts of the same level."
"And the fact that Chen Yi can be taught by such a person… we definitely cannot underestimate his own talent and background."
Prince Xue Xing also spoke up at this time, further confirming that this mysterious expert was not someone they could lightly provoke.
"Imperial Brother, my elder brother once visited Dugu Bo in the past. He wanted to inquire a little about Chen Yi and those two people's origins."
"But… Dugu Bo's attitude was extremely ambiguous. His words were evasive, and he always skirted around the question."
Even the arrogant Poison Douluo, who'd always had a close relationship with the royal family, had chosen to remain silent?
This, without a doubt, proved from another angle just how frightening that mysterious expert was.
The Xue Emperor's face was now completely overcast, like the sky before a storm.
He had originally hoped to rely on Dugu Bo's goodwill and the gradually-improving relationship with the royal house in recent years, to perhaps seize a thread of advantage. But at this moment, that hope had completely shattered.
His cold gaze fell once more upon Xue Beng, who was still kneeling on the ground. This son had truly stirred up a hornet's nest this time—not only had he disgraced the royal family, but he had also brought upon the Empire a terrifying, monstrous calamity whose consequences were utterly unpredictable.
Xue Beng was already scared out of his wits. His whole body shook like a leaf in an autumn wind. At first, he'd thought that Chen Yi merely relied on Dugu Bo's protection, yet now he learned that behind Chen Yi stood a world-class expert comparable to an Ultimate Douluo. And he had actually dared to provoke such a man's disciple.
How was that any different from courting death?
If he could, he wished he could go back in time and smack his own head that had been filled with sperm at the time.
Seeing his son's wretched and pathetic appearance, the Xue Emperor only felt additional anger and sorrow well up in his chest.
He immediately suppressed his emotions and handed down his verdict in an icy voice that seemed able to freeze souls.
"Rebellious son Xue Beng acted wantonly, brazenly provoking a powerful enemy and bringing shame upon the royal family."
"From this day forth, all permission for outings is rescinded. You will return to your manor and reflect in seclusion. Without my imperial decree, you are not allowed to take even half a step out of your residence. Should you commit another offense, you will be severely punished!"
If it weren't for the royal face, and the fact that this was now his only son, this would already have been a death sentence. The Xue Emperor had even truly considered killing him on the spot to appease that mysterious expert's possible anger.
Hearing this, Xue Beng felt as if he had received an imperial pardon. Driven by fear and relief, he hurriedly crawled on his hands and knees, banging his head on the floor.
"Thank you, Father! Father, thank you for your kindness! Your son will obey your command, will deeply reflect, and will never make the same mistake again!"
The next moment, he nearly rolled out of the hall in his haste, his back radiating the panicked air of a beast driven by a predator at its heels.
As Xue Beng disappeared outside the palace gates, silence slowly settled over the hall. His departure did not alleviate the heavy atmosphere in the slightest; instead, the shadow of that unknown expert made the air even more oppressive.
The Xue Emperor rubbed his brows, weariness showing on his face. He looked at Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.
"Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, after what the two of you have said… how should we deal with this matter?"
"Is that expert and Chen Yi to be regarded as enemies or allies?"
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment before slowly replying.
"Your Majesty, for now, that person punished the Fourth Prince, but did not kill him. That's more akin to a warning than an act of vengeance."
"Chen Yi's words that day were indeed arrogant, but in truth, his target might not have been the royal family's authority itself."
"Perhaps… they simply don't wish to be disturbed. I believe that, at present, the main policy should be conciliation and observation. We must not take the initiative to provoke them again, nor should we launch a high-profile investigation that might cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
Chen Xin also spoke lightly.
"If such an expert were to become our enemy, it would spell immense trouble for the Empire. If he doesn't become our enemy, that is already the best possible outcome."
The Xue Emperor nodded quietly. He knew Ning Fengzhi's words were reasonable. Acting rashly toward a pinnacle expert of unknown origin and purpose would be the height of folly.
He sighed.
"Forget it. We'll do as Sect Master Ning suggests. I will issue an imperial decree to restrain the younger generation of the royal clan and the great noble houses. In the near future, they are to be extremely cautious in word and deed, and not stir up trouble without reason."
"Especially… no one is allowed to provoke that Chen Yi again."
"Yes."
Prince Xue Xing hastily agreed.
The Xue Emperor then turned his eyes to Xue Qinghe.
"Qinghe, you have always been steady. You must pay particular attention to this matter. If you receive any information regarding those two, you are to report it immediately."
Xue Qinghe bowed with cupped hands, his tone calm.
"Your son understands. Please be at ease, Father."
After giving his orders, the Xue Emperor waved his hand to dismiss the court.
Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Prince Xue Xing all bowed and retreated from the grand hall in turn. Xue Qinghe followed after them.
Soon, only the Xue Emperor remained in the empty hall, sitting alone upon the dragon throne. The last rays of the evening sun filtered in through the high lattice windows, stretching his shadow long across the cold floor, making him seem both solitary and heavily burdened.
He stared out at the night slowly draping itself over the palace roofs, his thoughts surging.
Chen Yi… a pinnacle spiritual-type Title Douluo of mysterious origin… the Nine-Heart Begonia…
These factors twined together in his mind like a stone cast into a still lake, sending out ripples whose range and consequences he could not predict.
Because of this, the future of the Heaven Dou Empire seemed to be shrouded in a faint, ominous shadow.
…