Chapter 367: Approaching Storm
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan
On a lakeside pavilion, the three most influential figures of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan gathered. Ning Fengzhi leaned on his jade-topped cane, gazing thoughtfully at Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo before speaking calmly.
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, what do you make of what Rong Rong just told us?"
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a long look, each sensing the weight of the decision before them. It meant leaving Heaven Dou City, their stronghold for countless years, and relocating to the distant Hanhai City. After a pause, Sword Douluo replied gravely:
"Leaving Heaven Dou City means distancing ourselves from the heart of this storm. Rong Rong is right; preserving our clan demands sacrifices. Wealth and treasures are nothing compared to the safety of our people. As long as our disciples survive, the clan's legacy endures."
Bone Douluo nodded in agreement. "I'm of the same mind."
Seeing that both had agreed with Rong Rong's proposal, Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Since you both support Rong Rong's decision, we will immediately begin moving the clan to Hanhai City. By now, our branch there should be nearly completed."
Alongside the Azure Lotus Clan's expansion into Hanhai City, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had been establishing its own branch, with both clans planning to support each other from a safe distance.
"There's no time to waste," Ning Fengzhi continued. "We'll send some of our disciples there immediately. We can't get involved in the conflict between Spirit Hall and the two empires. All we need is time; as long as Rong Rong ascends to godhood, any sacrifice will be worth it."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo both nodded in silent agreement. Indeed, with Ning Rongrong's Ten Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda no longer limited to seven spirit rings, and her spirit surpassing all known limits by accepting a tenth ring, their clan had a beacon of hope. Her ascension to godhood would ensure the clan's future prosperity.
Bone Douluo then offered, "I'll start preparations to relocate the clan immediately." With Ning Fengzhi's approval, he departed.
Left alone, Ning Fengzhi gazed out at the overcast sky, his brow furrowing slightly.
"A storm is brewing…"
As the clan leader, Ning Fengzhi could not help but worry about the continent's fate. For some time, unknown individuals had been appearing around Heaven Dou City, and the palace itself had become an impenetrable black hole, allowing no news to escape. He sensed an impending danger, yet with Rong Rong's ascension in sight, he felt assured the clan would stay secure. Regardless of the victor, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would never be the loser.
After all, their clan was destined to produce a god.
Heaven Dou City – The Palace
The city had been gripped by an ominous silence. The court waited for news of Emperor Xue Ye's passing, yet against all expectations, he clung to life, his condition suspended in an unbreakable limbo. Day after day, the silence deepened as everyone awaited the inevitable.
As Emperor Xue Ye continued to defy death, Dai Yao noticed something amiss—clearly, Tang San had intervened, for otherwise, the emperor would not have lasted so long. Filled with foreboding, he went straight to the Crown Prince's quarters, voicing his concerns.
"Qian Renxue, our plan has gone awry. Emperor Xue Ye has lived too long! Tang San must have acted. We must strike now, before things spiral out of control!"
Xue Qinghe took a calm sip of tea, her gaze impassive as she glanced at Dai Yao. "You're too cautious, Dai Yao. Tang San alone can't cause much trouble. Hasn't he lost to you multiple times? Why are you so concerned? Such hesitation will never make you a true power."
Dai Yao couldn't help but laugh bitterly at her arrogance. Even if Qian Renxue didn't grasp Tang San's true capabilities, he could not allow her to underestimate their opponent. He took a deep breath, his gaze steeling, and held out the Angel Token.
"Qian Renxue, as the Grand Worship's emissary, I command you—initiate the coup immediately!"
His authoritative command echoed through the palace chambers. Xue Qinghe's face remained impassive, though the teacup in her hand shattered, its fragrant tea spilling onto the floor. She looked up coldly, narrowing her eyes at Dai Yao before scoffing.
"Dai Yao, perhaps I've been too lenient with you, giving you delusions of grandeur. Do you think you can command me?"
"For over twenty years, I have sacrificed my youth to this empire," she continued, her voice biting. "I know Heaven Dou better than you ever could! You want to rush things, but can you bear the burden of failure? Do you even have the standing to carry that responsibility?"
Staring at Qian Renxue's hardened gaze, Dai Yao felt a mocking smile tug at his lips. He realized just how expendable he was in her eyes. All his efforts for Spirit Hall meant nothing to her.
With a bitter chuckle, he tossed the Angel Token at her feet and declared icily, "You're right. I'm unworthy. So, I'm done as the Grand Worship's emissary. Here—take your precious token back."
With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the silent halls. As his footsteps faded, Xue Qinghe clutched the Angel Token tightly, a sheen of sweat forming on her palms. A strange chill had gripped her heart as if she had unwittingly exposed her innermost thoughts. After so many years, her self-control had slipped.
She laughed ruefully. "Perhaps I've waited so long for success that my nerves got the best of me. Still, Dai Yao is close to my grandfather—I should probably apologize."
What neither Dai Yao nor Qian Renxue noticed, however, was the faintly glowing blue seed planted on the ceiling above, emanating an eerie, otherworldly light.
Back in his chambers, Dai Yao's thoughts were conflicted. Although he wanted to simply leave and wash his hands of Spirit Hall, he knew he couldn't afford to do so yet. He still hadn't secured the Sea God's Heart—leaving it to Tang San would only make him more dangerous.
"Right now, I still don't know its exact location," he mused. "I can't use my Chaos Lotus Spirit's teleportation to seize it. And taking it now would only heighten the palace's suspicions, potentially jeopardizing the entire coup."
"The best course of action," he decided, "is to locate the Sea God's Heart, then retrieve it amidst the chaos of the coup. In the midst of all that turmoil, no one would notice its absence."
He chuckled wryly. "Now, I'm alienated from both Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue—Spirit Hall has no place left for me. Ironically, this is exactly what the soul beasts wanted: to leave me with no path forward. But if they think I'll turn to them out of desperation, they don't understand me at all."
Despite his setbacks, Dai Yao felt no regrets. He had always remained true to himself, even if it meant severing ties with figures like Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
If Tang San succeeded in disrupting the coup, Dai Yao still had a contingency plan. With Xiao Wu in his control, he could keep Tang San in check.
Just then, he sensed a ripple within his spiritual domain, alerting him to an unusual presence. He focused his mind, readying himself to confront whatever might come.
Upon entering his spiritual realm, Dai Yao found Xiao Wu rushing toward him, her face filled with anger. In the spiritual realm, even though she only came into slight contact with the Chaos Lotus's aura, her soul had strengthened significantly. If she were returned to her body, she could live almost like a regular human once more.
"Scoundrel! What will it take for you to leave my third brother alone?" Xiao Wu shouted, fury in her voice. "I gave you his hidden weapons like you asked, yet you still want to kill him!"
Dai Yao cast a cold glance at Xiao Wu. Her long, waterfall-like hair was tied into a ponytail reaching her waist. She wore her iconic sheer pink dress, accentuating her delicate figure with an enticing silhouette; beneath the translucent fabric, her slender legs were wrapped in white stockings, enhanced by crystal heels that lent her a rare allure.
While he had considered Xiao Wu in more than one way, and in this realm, he could do as he pleased with her—she had no means to resist—he refrained. Not because he felt any particular moral obligation, but simply because he found it beneath him.
Xiao Wu's purpose was to remove his early spirit rings so he could replace them with stronger ones, the powerful ten-thousand-year and even hundred-thousand-year rings. When she revived, it would also be her final end. And, if Tang San acquired the Sea God's Heart, Xiao Wu would serve as Dai Yao's bargaining chip in exchange.
"There's no point debating with a dead soul," Dai Yao said indifferently. "Even if I spared Tang San, do you think he would spare me?"
Xiao Wu locked her eyes onto him, her gaze conveying a silent vow: she would haunt him even in death if it came to that. Dai Yao merely scoffed.
"Don't worry," he continued coldly, "I'll do what I promised. Once I strip him of his spirit, he'll no longer pose a threat to me, and I'll let him go."
Xiao Wu hesitated, uncertain. If her brother lost his spirit, would he even want to live? But at least he would be alive. She had no leverage left to bargain, so she clenched her jaw and reluctantly agreed, "Fine. I'll trust you this once."
Dai Yao's voice softened ever so slightly. "And when the time comes, I'll even let you see him once more."
Hope flared in Xiao Wu's eyes. The thought of seeing Tang San again filled her with overwhelming relief. Trembling with emotion, she asked, "Are you…serious?"
"Of course." Dai Yao's figure faded from the spiritual realm, leaving Xiao Wu to the solitude of her fragile optimism.
When that day arrived, he'd permit Xiao Wu one last moment with Tang San—his final act of mercy.
As the month drew to a close, Emperor Xue Ye lay bedridden, utterly incapacitated.
"His Majesty can barely hold on!" a young eunuch burst into the chamber where numerous figures were gathered. He gasped, realizing he'd stumbled upon a private meeting and clamped his mouth shut.
The room was packed with nearly forty people. Fourth Prince Xue Beng sat at the head, with Tang San and the elders of the Clear Sky Clan seated below him. Upon hearing the eunuch's news, Xue Beng sprang to his feet, his eyes gleaming as he turned to Tang San.
"Tang San, Xue Qinghe will act soon."
Tang San's snowy white hair cascaded over his shoulders as he nodded in agreement.
"Well, then, let's march into the palace, rescue Emperor Xue Ye, and reveal the Spirit Hall's conspiracy for all to see!" proposed the Seventh Elder, eager to take immediate action.
"Hold your tongue, Elder Seven," the Second Elder cautioned, casting a sidelong glance at him. The elders of Clear Sky Clan had just arrived in Heaven Dou City and knew little of the intricacies. The clan master had ordered them to follow Tang San's lead.
Turning to Tang San, the Second Elder asked, "What's your view on this?"
Tang San composed himself; he knew he needed to leave a solid impression on the Clear Sky Clan elders. After a thoughtful pause, he spoke steadily.
"Now isn't the time to reveal our hand. Xue Qinghe is, after all, the crown prince, respected throughout the empire. If we act now, we will appear as rebels in the eyes of the people—as traitors."
The elders nodded in agreement, their respect for Tang San growing as they recognized his maturity and foresight.
Even Prince Xue Xing, watching from the side, admired the young man's prudent approach, secretly envious of the talent flourishing within the Clear Sky Clan.
"So what's our course of action?" Xue Beng asked, fighting to maintain his composure.
Tang San replied, his tone firm, "I made an agreement with Emperor Xue Ye—within a month, the truth would be revealed to him. There are still four or five days left in that timeframe. It's likely Emperor Xue Ye is pretending to be weaker than he actually is to buy us time."
"Right now, Xue Qinghe has complete control over the court, and to break his hold, we must first dismantle the reputation he's built up over the years. We'll wait for him to slip up. Once Emperor Xue Ye learns of Xue Qinghe's true identity, he'll support us. With Emperor Xue Ye's influence, we'll have a fighting chance."
The elders nodded once more, confidence mounting in the strategy.
"So, we wait?" Xue Beng pressed.
"Yes," Tang San affirmed. "Hide yourselves, Fourth Prince, Second Elder, and everyone—stay out of sight until I give the signal. I'll be in the Emperor's chambers, keeping Xue Qinghe's suspicions at bay. When he's exposed, that will be the end for him."
The Second Elder looked uneasy. "But, Tang San, if you're surrounded…"
Tang San gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Second Elder. My life serves a greater purpose, and I won't waste it here. I will return safely."
Although the elders were uncertain how he planned to escape the heavily fortified palace, they could not help but trust him as they saw his unwavering resolve.
As Tang San left, his figure—his flowing white hair and steadfast back—left a deep impression on the elders. In that moment, they recognized him as the true future leader of the Clear Sky Clan.
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