That night, the details of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's auction were disseminated to various powers within Heaven Dou City.
Unheard-of spirit tools, the conflict between the Elephant Armored Academy and the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Silas's biased intervention, and the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's Titled Douluo making a move.
And finally, the intelligence about the Sun Moon Continent, including the revelation that the Myriad Treasures Pavilion itself was a force from the Sun Moon Continent, seemingly possessing lost spirit tool manufacturing methods.
Each piece of information shocked the powers within Heaven Dou City.
Immediately, they mobilized their resources to send people to the continent's coastline to verify the intelligence about the Sun Moon Continent.
It was foreseeable that once the Sun Moon Continent was confirmed, it would cause immense changes to the current situation on the Douluo Continent. Countless powerful individuals stared at the intelligence in their hands, pondering how to respond to this monumental shift.
Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, lights burned brightly tonight. With such a major event occurring on their territory, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family immediately convened important members of the empire to discuss this significant upheaval.
"I presume everyone understands why I have urgently summoned you?" Emperor Xue Ye sat on his dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled individuals below.
Ning Fengzhi, Qian Renxue, Prince Xue Xing, Marshal Ge Long, Duke Shijian, and other high-ranking imperial officials all frowned in thought upon hearing Xue Ye's words.
"The empire needs to determine its stance regarding the Sun Moon Continent. I hope you all can pool your wisdom and share the empire's burdens," Xue Ye slowly spoke, observing the silent crowd.
"Imperial Father, your son believes the most pressing matter is to first investigate the situation on the Sun Moon Continent. The people from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion are clearly pioneers sent from the Sun Moon Continent, and in this regard, we on the Douluo Continent have already fallen behind," Qian Renxue was the first to speak. She commanded two major intelligence sources, the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall, giving her a natural advantage in this area.
"The Crown Prince speaks wisely. This matter shall be entrusted to Marshal Ge Long," Xue Ye said, looking at Qian Renxue with approval. He was very satisfied with this Crown Prince.
"Your subject obeys!" Ge Long responded, cupping his hands in a salute.
"Your Majesty, Fengzhi believes we should also send people to investigate the situation of continental movement they spoke of, to see if the Douluo Continent is also approaching the Sun Moon Continent. If so, the two continents will inevitably connect, and the empire can make early preparations."
Subsequently, Ning Fengzhi also slowly offered his suggestion, as this pertained to future military matters of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Currently, the Heaven Dou and Star Luo navies were practically nonexistent. What if, in the future, the two continents did not physically meet as Xu Sheng had described, but instead remained separated by sea?
Then the development of a navy would become extremely necessary.
"School Master Ning is correct. This matter shall be entrusted to… the Crown Prince." Xue Ye's heart stirred, and his gaze shifted from Xue Xing to Qian Renxue.
"Your son obeys!"
Afterward, everyone offered suggestions, one after another, and Xue Ye adopted them as appropriate. After everyone dispersed, Xue Ye was still contemplating the future situation when Xue Xing returned.
"Xue Xing, what else is it?" Xue Ye frowned, looking at his younger brother. He had long known about the discord between Xue Xing and Xue Qinghe in court, but for various considerations, he had not intervened. Now, feeling his health deteriorating, he hoped Xue Xing could set aside his prejudices and work with Xue Qinghe to develop the Heaven Dou Empire.
Regarding the successive deaths of his two sons, he naturally harbored some suspicions, but these did not prevent him from acknowledging Xue Qinghe as the Crown Prince. He felt very assured entrusting the Heaven Dou Empire to someone like him.
People often said the Star Luo Imperial Family was cruel, but wasn't his Heaven Dou the same?
"Your Majesty, regarding the situation on the Sun Moon Continent, why should we seek far and wide? There is someone in Heaven Dou City who is more familiar with it than we are!" Xue Xing bowed, then walked to Xue Ye's side and whispered.
"Are you mad?" Xue Ye looked at Xue Xing in shock. "The Myriad Treasures Pavilion has a Titled Douluo guarding it. How can they be easily moved?"
"Your Majesty, a mere Titled Douluo? This is our Heaven Dou Imperial City! If we dispatch a large army to surround them and gather the strength of the entire city, we might not be unable to take them down," Xue Xing saw Xue Ye's attitude, felt anxious, and spoke in an urgent tone.
He had always been wary of Xue Qinghe after the successive deaths of the two imperial princes, even having Xue Beng feign being a profligate to lower the other party's guard.
Fortunately, although Xue Qinghe held virtually absolute power in state affairs, he had made no significant achievements in the military, as Xue Ye had not given him military authority.
Who knew that the sudden appearance of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion would disrupt his plans? Previously, to maintain stability within Heaven Dou City, Xue Ye had entrusted the Royal Knights to Xue Qinghe for a period. This was arguably a signal that Xue Ye intended to fully empower the Crown Prince.
Now, the task of investigating the border was also given to Xue Qinghe, which made Xue Xing feel a sense of crisis. If Xue Qinghe gained control of both military and government affairs, then he and Xue Beng would never have an opportunity.
Therefore, he wanted to make one final gamble.
This Myriad Treasures Pavilion was his last chance.
"Your subject has an old acquaintance with the Poison Douluo, and he is currently a guest elder at my residence. Moreover, when the Imperial Family and the Myriad Treasures Pavilion clash, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will certainly not stand idly by. With the combined strength of three Titled Douluo, plus the imperial army, it will be foolproof."
Hearing Xue Xing's words, Xue Ye was tempted for a moment. Not to mention the intelligence about the Sun Moon Continent in the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's hands, they themselves represented a huge fortune.
However, there were simply too many things to consider.
As the person who understood Xue Ye best, Xue Xing instantly discerned his thoughts and said, "Your Majesty, now is the best time for us to act. They have entered the heartland of the Douluo Continent alone, and the power they can wield is extremely limited. If we miss this opportunity, it will likely be difficult in the future."
"Currently, the situation on the Sun Moon Continent is unclear, but it can be glimpsed that their spirit tool technology must be highly advanced. This might be our chance to surpass Star Luo!"
Indeed, this was Xue Xing's objective. The spirit tool technology not only showed him its importance to Heaven Dou but also presented an opportunity to contend with Xue Qinghe.
Now, he was gambling that Xu Yunxiao and his group's influence on the Sun Moon Continent was weak, and even if the two continents eventually fully converged, they would not be able to retaliate against him.
At this moment, Xue Xing was anxious, having lost his usual composure.
"This matter needs no further mention. The empire requires stability and cannot take risks." Xue Ye ultimately did not make up his mind. He shook his head and rejected Xue Xing's proposal.
"Imperial Brother…"
"You should go back… Qinghe has done well these past years, and the empire also needs peace and stability," Xue Ye raised his hand to stop Xue Xing's words, speaking in a stern tone.
Xue Xing left the Imperial Palace dejectedly, turning to look at the towering palace, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.