Chapter 320: Bait? Hunting the Clear Sky Sect!
Heaven Dou City, Imperial Palace.
The imperial palace, under the cover of night, was still brightly lit, but it exuded an unusual solemnity and silence. A suffocating atmosphere permeated the air, and even the patrolling footsteps sounded heavier than usual.
Outside Emperor Xue Ye's palace, the scene had changed drastically.
The elite royal knights in their gleaming armor who usually guarded the palace were nowhere to be seen. In their place were squads of Soul Masters in their standard robes, with cold eyes and sharp auras, as well as a few well-trained soldiers in special armor, wielding spears.
They stood silently around the palace, completely surrounding this palace that symbolized the highest power of the empire. Their invisible soul power faintly connected, forming a tight blockade.
On the main road leading to the palace, two figures were walking quickly.
The leader, dressed in a magnificent scholar's robe, possessed a gentle yet pervasive air of solemnity and worry; he was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Beside him stood an elderly man in white robes, none other than Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
As the two approached the outer perimeter of the palace, several soldiers, spears in hand and eyes gleaming with vigilance, immediately stepped forward, their spears clashing, blocking their path without hesitation.
"Halt! Forbidden area ahead! Do not approach!"
The captain of the leading soldiers spoke in a cold, emotionless voice.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi paused, his brow furrowing slightly. He did not show anger, but calmly took out a golden token engraved with a swan from his robes, and said in a deep voice:
"I am Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a guest minister of the Empire. I have important matters to discuss with His Majesty. This is a golden token personally bestowed by His Majesty. Seeing this token is as if His Majesty himself were present. Why do you not move aside?"
His voice was not loud, but it carried the authority of someone long accustomed to a high position.
He attempted to force his way through using his identity and token.
However, the captain of the soldiers merely glanced coldly at the gold token, a symbol of immense honor and authority, his face unmoved. Instead, his tone hardened further as he said,
"Sect Leader Ning, we are acting on His Highness the Crown Prince's orders. His Majesty is unwell and requires absolute rest. No one is permitted to disturb him. His Highness has decreed that without his personal command or written order, no one, including those holding the guest elder's gold token, is allowed to enter and disturb His Majesty's rest!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "Crown Prince" and "anyone," and instead of retracting his spear, he moved it forward half an inch, demonstrating his uncompromising attitude.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's heart sank.
The gold token was invalid!
The guards had been replaced by Soul Masters of unknown origin and some unfamiliar soldiers!
All of this pointed to an unmistakable fact:
the palace, at least this sleeping quarters area, had been completely taken over! Emperor Xue Ye's condition is likely far more serious than the rumors suggest, perhaps even... he has already lost his freedom!
Immediately afterward, Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance with the Sword Douluo beside him.
Although the Sword Douluo was faintly surrounded by sharp sword energy, he did not make any rash moves. In his view, forcibly breaking in at this moment was clearly unwise; there were quite a few hidden Soul Masters around, including many Title Douluo-level experts.
"Your Highness... where is he now? This Sect Master has urgent matters to report to Your Highness." Forcibly suppressing his anger, Ning Fengzhi asked.
The soldier captain replied expressionlessly,
"His Highness is dealing with urgent state affairs and has no time to receive you. If Sect Master Ning has important matters to attend to, you may wait for an audience in the side hall, or come another day." His reply was watertight, without any flaws.
Ning Fengzhi knew that it was absolutely impossible for him to see Emperor Xue Ye today.
"In that case, I will visit His Majesty another day. I urge everyone... to ensure His Majesty's safety." Ning Fengzhi slowly put away the gold token, his voice carrying a barely perceptible chill.
Having said that, he said no more, gave Sword Douluo a slight nod, and the two turned and slowly walked away along the path they had come from. Their shadows stretched long under the palace lanterns, appearing exceptionally heavy.
The moment he turned, the calm on Ning Fengzhi's face was replaced by a solemn expression. He didn't stop walking, his lips barely moving, sending a subtle yet clear transmission of soul power into Sword Douluo's ear.
"Uncle Sword, something's wrong. The palace guards have all been replaced, the gold token is ineffective, the Crown Prince may have already been taken hostage, His Majesty is probably in dire straits, perhaps even..."
He paused, his voice growing even deeper.
"This place has become a den of dragons and tigers; forcing our way in would be unwise."
"You must immediately rush to Moon Pavilion, find Sect Master Tang Xiao, and truthfully inform him of the situation. Make sure he… brings the elite troops of Clear Sky Sect here immediately! Hurry!"
Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo nodded slightly without changing his expression, replying telepathically,
"Understood. Sect Master, what about you?"
"I will return to my residence to take refuge temporarily, while contacting the former members of the royal family and Marshal Ge Long to see if we can gather information or exert pressure from the outside. You go and return quickly, be careful."
"Alright." Chen Xin said no more.
In the instant he turned a corner of the palace wall and temporarily disappeared from view, he seemed to transform into an invisible sword light, silently merging into the night, rushing towards Moon Pavilion at an extreme speed without creating a sound.
...…
Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince's residence.
In the quiet courtyard, Qian Renxue was holding a jade pot, gracefully watering a rare golden-stamen snow orchid. Moonlight bathed her profile, which was disguised as Xue Qinghe's gentle and peaceful face, making her appear like a truly carefree prince, detached from worldly affairs and indulging in the company of flowers and plants.
Suddenly, not far from her, the air rippled slightly like water, golden light surged, and a figure appeared silently like a ghost—it was She Long.
"Young Master," She Long bowed slightly, his voice low, and said,
"Urgent news has arrived from Spirit Hall City."
Qian Renxue's watering of the flowers did not pause at all; she merely turned her head slightly, gesturing for him to continue.
"The news is confirmed. The Clear Sky Sect... has emerged from the mountains. Its sect leader, Tang Xiao, and Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao are currently in Heaven Dou City." She Long said calmly.
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyelashes trembled slightly, the water in her jade pot flowing steadily. She responded softly, her expression unreadable.
She Long continued his report, his tone tinged with a chilling aura and a hint of excitement. "His Holiness the Pope and the Grand Elder have both issued decrees."
"The objective of this operation has changed; the Elders are already on their way."
"Not only must we successfully seize the Heaven Dou Imperial Power, but we must also take this opportunity... to wipe out the core members of the Clear Sky Sect who have infiltrated Heaven Dou City!"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's watering of the flowers finally paused slightly.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is destroyed, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is dead."
"If we can destroy the Clear Sky Sect this time... then the three upper sects on the continent will become history! Our Spirit Hall's great cause of unifying the continent will be without hindrance!"
The courtyard was silent, save for the gentle sound of flowing water.
Under the moonlight, Qian Renxue slowly stood up and placed the jade pot on the stone table beside her. She turned around; her once gentle face, belonging to Xue Qinghe, was now expressionless, only a flash of golden light passing through her deep eyes.
She gazed towards the palace, as if piercing through layers of buildings to see something within.
"To wipe them all out... the Clear Sky Sect..."
"Truly... the perfect opportunity."
"Pass down the order: proceed as planned, have everyone strengthen absolute control over the palace to ensure the bait isn't rescued. Simultaneously... initiate full surveillance of Clear Sky Sect members entering the city. Once the offerings from Spirit Hall City arrive... that will be the time for us to close the net."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Hearing this, She Long bowed and accepted the order, his figure disappearing back into the shadows.
The night in Heaven Dou City grew ever deeper.
Beneath the surface, killing intent had quietly spread like a spiderweb.
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