"I dare not presume to ask your advice."
Ning Lin sat down in the guest seat, her demeanor composed.
"However, since Your Highness has brought up politics, I do have something I would like to hear Your Highness's opinion on."
"Please speak, my lord."
"Your Highness, what do you think should be done with the Tang Clan and those people from Shrek Academy?"
Ning Lin's question struck Qian Renxue's heart like a heavy hammer.
This is a crucial part of her plan!
She had been plotting for years to create a rift between the Heaven Dou royal family and the Spirit Hall, and Tang San and the Tang Sect were the best weapon she had chosen.
But now, Ning Lin has directly presented this problem to her.
One bad answer could ruin everything.
A glint of light flashed deep within Qian Renxue's golden eyes, but her face remained as gentle as ever.
"The Tang Clan is a remnant of the Clear Sky Sect, and Tang San even murdered the former Pope of the Spirit Hall. In principle, they should be severely punished."
She first stated her position.
"However... there are undercurrents within the empire now. It seems that both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan are connected to the Tang Sect."
"If handled improperly, it could cause turmoil in the empire."
"This matter requires further consideration."
Her words were perfectly worded, demonstrating both her affinity for the Spirit Hall and highlighting the stakes involved, cleverly deflecting the question back into her own hands.
Ning Lin listened and smiled noncommittally.
"Your Highness is right."
He stood up.
"It seems I was too hasty."
"It is getting late, so I will not disturb Your Highness's rest any longer. Farewell."
After saying that, he actually turned around and left the East Palace decisively.
The whole process was so fast that Qian Renxue couldn't even react in time.
He... just left like that?
Was his purpose in coming here just to ask such a trivial question?
Qian Renxue sat back down at her desk, her brows furrowed.
She always felt that things weren't that simple.
She couldn't see through Ning Lin at all.
...
Several days later.
The Hall of State Affairs in the Heavenly Dou Imperial Palace.
The new emperor, Xue Beng, sat somewhat uneasily on the throne that symbolized the highest power in the empire, wearing a brand-new dragon robe.
Since Emperor Xue Ye fell ill and Xue Qinghe took over the reins of government, and now Ning Lin has emerged out of nowhere to take control of Tian Dou City, this once纨绔 (spoiled brat) prince has been pushed onto the throne almost before anyone could react.
But he didn't feel secure in this position.
Your Highness, a group of veteran ministers, led by Prince Xuexing, are verbally attacking him, their expressions agitated.
"Your Majesty! The Tang Clan is a cancer on the empire; it must not be allowed to exist!"
Prince Xuexing's voice echoed in the hall.
His face flushed red, and he spat out words.
"Back then, Tang San openly and severely injured a student from my Heaven Dou Royal Academy during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. This was an act of contempt for imperial authority!"
"Later, they colluded with the Clear Sky Sect and became enemies of the Spirit Hall, dragging our Heaven Dou Empire into the quagmire of war!"
"Now, they have even established themselves within my Heavenly Dou City, gathering followers and effectively becoming a state within a state!"
"If such a major threat is not eliminated as soon as possible, the empire will be in grave danger!"
"We, your subjects, second that proposal!"
"Your Majesty, please issue an edict to expel all the rebels from the Tang Clan!"
Dozens of ministers knelt down in unison, creating a grand spectacle.
As Xue Beng sat on the dragon throne, he felt a wave of dizziness.
He was well aware of the dangers posed by the Tang Clan.
But would he dare?
Tang San is a monster who can go toe-to-toe with a Title Douluo, and the Shrek Seven Devils under his command are no pushovers either.
Moreover, they have two of the three major sects backing them up.
If you really anger them, not only will they be expelled, but they might even lose their throne.
He looked towards the side of the hall as if seeking help.
There, Ning Lin sat in a grand chair, leisurely sipping tea, as if the intense coup drama unfolding before him had nothing to do with him.
The avalanche was filled with despair.
This Marquis Ning is the true pillar of stability in the court today.
The reason why Prince Xuexing dared to be so self-righteous was because he had the tacit approval behind the scenes.
But he remained completely silent.
"Imperial Uncle, my beloved ministers..."
The avalanche opened its mouth with difficulty.
"This matter is of great importance. Should we... discuss it further?"
"Your Majesty! You mustn't!"
Prince Xuexing was heartbroken.
"Raising a tiger will only bring trouble! If we don't take decisive action today, we'll regret it later!"
"Your Majesty, please issue a decree!"
"Your Majesty, please issue a decree!"
The courtiers shouted in unison again, their voices rising higher and higher.
Avalanche's face turned deathly pale.
He felt like a small boat adrift in a raging storm, at any moment at risk of capsizing.
At this tense moment, when swords were about to be drawn and war was imminent.
"Boom!"
A deafening roar came from outside the hall.
The entire council hall trembled violently.
The palace gate, made of ancient gold-plated wood and seemingly indestructible, was actually smashed apart from the outside by brute force!
Amidst the swirling sawdust and smoke, a figure, bathed in the sunlight outside the hall, slowly walked in.
He was a young man.
His long blue hair moved without wind, and his eyes were two unfathomable points of deep blue.
His left arm was completely intact, with bulging muscles that exuded power.
But what is most striking is the immense and chilling fluctuation of soul power emanating from him.
Nine spirit rings rose up one after another beneath his feet.
Yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, red, red, red, red!
Four blood-red, 100,000-year soul rings radiated an ominous light, almost dyeing the entire hall crimson!
Title Douluo!
Moreover, he possesses four 100,000-year spirit rings, making him a top-tier Title Douluo!
"Tang...Tang San!"
Prince Xuexing looked at the newcomer, his voice changed, and the arrogance and indignation on his face were instantly replaced by endless fear.
The other ministers were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground, trembling with fear.
Tang San ignored these ants.
His gaze pierced through the crowd, past the avalanche on the dragon throne, and finally settled on the figure leisurely sipping tea.
Ninglin!
An endless hatred, like a volcano, erupted from the depths of his heart.
Xiao Wu's death, the teacher's hasty escape, the friends' hiding places, the Tang Clan's teetering on the brink of collapse...
Everything is thanks to this man!
"Buzz—"
A soft chirp.
A magnificent, golden trident appeared in his hand.
The divine weapon, the Trident of Poseidon!
At the same time, the sea god mark on his forehead and the Vast Ocean Universe Cover on his heart simultaneously lit up with a deep blue light.
An overwhelming pressure, seemingly emanating from the primordial era, spread outwards from him!
Under this oppressive force, the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze.
Those ministers even had difficulty breathing.
During an avalanche, you feel your very soul trembling.
Is this... Tang San's current power?
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(End of chapter)