The Monarch Sect was born in seven days.
Ning Fengzhi had money. Money was speed. He bought a mountain, a title, and a thousand-year reputation overnight. The "Sect Opening Ceremony" was attended by Wei Lian — representing the Heaven Dou Empire — and Dai Mubai — representing Star Luo's "friendship." Spirit Hall sent Elder Salas to watch. He smiled and called it "a promising new ally."
He didn't know his alias, Elder Salas, had signed his own death warrant three years ago in Southhaven.
*[Throne Quest: 2/3 Kingdoms under Proxy Authority]*
*[Heaven Dou: Complete - Wei Lian, Titled Douluo, Eunuch Chief]*
*[Star Luo: Incomplete - Dai Mubai, Crown Prince, not yet Emperor]*
*[Third Kingdom Required:???]*
The third kingdom wasn't a kingdom. It was Spirit Hall.
Spirit Hall wasn't a nation, but it ruled like one. It had cities, armies, currency, and a Pope. To the system, that counted.
But Bibi Dong was Rank 99. Even with Influence burn, the backlash would kill him. He'd drop to Rank 10 permanently and still fail. He needed another way.
"Qian Renxue," he told Su Yin. "I need to talk to her. Not fight. Talk."
"Impossible," Su Yin said. "She's guarded by two Titled Douluo at all times. And she hates you. She doesn't know you, but she hates the idea of you."
"Everyone hates the idea of me until they meet me."
The meeting happened during the finals. Dai Mubai vs. Hu Liena. The stadium was screaming. Xiao Zhan wasn't there.
He was in the Spirit Hall's private garden, sitting across from Qian Renxue. Dugu Bo stood behind him. The two Titled Douluo guards were asleep on the ground. Dugu Bo's poison was polite like that.
Qian Renxue didn't draw her weapon. She was twenty-four, tall, gold hair, eyes like a falcon. She wore the Crown Prince's face half the time, but here she was herself.
"The Veil," she said. "You killed my Hand of Night."
"They were slow."
"You have my father's Eunuch Chief. You have Star Luo's Crown Prince. You have Ning Fengzhi." Her eyes narrowed. "What are you?"
"A king," Xiao Zhan said. "Same as you, but I don't need a father's permission."
She laughed. It wasn't kind. "You want me to kneel? Try it. My mother will burn your mountain to ash."
"I don't want you to kneel," Xiao Zhan said. "I want you to win."
That stopped her.
"Your mother chose Hu Liena as the next Pope. Not you. Because you're 'compromised' by playing Crown Prince. Because you're too ambitious. Because she's afraid you'll succeed." He leaned forward. "Help me take Spirit Hall, and you'll be Pope. Not Holy Maiden. Pope. I don't want the chair. I want the empire that listens to the chair."
*[System Prompt]*
*[Alliance Route Detected]*
*[If Qian Renxue accepts partnership, Throne Quest third condition can be fulfilled via Proxy without Marking Bibi Dong]*
*[Warning: Alliance Route has 43% betrayal risk]*
Qian Renxue studied him for ten seconds. Then she stood. "Prove you're not wasting my time. Give me Star Luo."
"Dai Mubai will be Emperor in one year. His father's health is… fragile."
"Make it six months."
Xiao Zhan smiled. "Deal."
*[Alliance Formed: Qian Renxue - Status: Co-Conspirator, Not Marked]*
*[Throne Quest: 3/3 Conditions Met via Proxy]*
*[System Third Evolution Unlocking...]*