Chapter 236: The Enigmatic Sorcerer Exposed
Inside the palace's secret chamber.
Newly ascended Titled Douluo Emperor Xue Ye met in secret with Yu Xiaogang—and another man, the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen.
"Clan Leader Yu, the Spirit Hall is beginning to suspect me. You must help me block their investigation!" Emperor Xue Ye's expression was grim.
Ever since Prince Xue Xing accused him publicly during the ceremony, Xue Ye had known disaster was coming. He regretted not killing his brother sooner.
"Your Majesty," Yu Yuanzhen replied with a frown, "the Spirit Hall wanting to search your palace has nothing to do with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. This situation is of your own making."
"How can we possibly shield you from the Spirit Hall's scrutiny?"
"You mean to abandon us?" Xue Ye's eyes gleamed dangerously as he gave a sharp, manic laugh. "If I fall, do you think you'll escape unscathed?"
"If the Spirit Hall declares me an evil soul master, I'll drag all of you down with me!"
The emperor's words carried the desperation of a man cornered.
Yu Yuanzhen fell into silence.
Both the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family had practiced the Blood Demon Ritual—they were insects bound to the same rope.
Neither faction stood a chance alone against the Spirit Hall.
If Emperor Xue Ye were exposed, the entire Heaven Dou Empire would plunge into chaos.
Military strength could no longer protect them—no one would follow a corrupt, evil ruler.
Even the royal knights, some of whom had been sacrificed during the ritual itself to fuel Xue Ye's advancement, would turn away.
An emperor with power but no loyalty was doomed.
And as for the Blue Lightning Clan, even possessing a single Titled Douluo would never be enough to challenge the Spirit Hall.
At last, Yu Xiaogang—who had been silent—spoke. "Father, Your Majesty, perhaps now is the time for us to unite."
Both Titled Douluo looked at him.
Yu Yuanzhen studied his son carefully. The Blood Demon Ritual, the root of all this, had been brought to them by Yu Xiaogang.
Though his spirit power was only at the Spirit Ancestor level, the family had grown stronger because of him—and now had to face the price.
"The Spirit Hall searching the palace is an insult," Yu Xiaogang continued calmly. "If His Majesty allows them in, the imperial dignity will be in ruins."
"But to prevent the search, we need a plausible explanation."
His eyes gleamed with pride as he spoke. He may not have had great strength, but in intellect, he considered himself peerless across the continent.
He cleared his throat and went on. "The Spirit Hall suspects His Majesty advanced to Titled Douluo through evil means. All we must do is provide a reasonable justification for his breakthrough."
Turning toward his father, he added, "We can publicly announce under the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's name that it was our assistance that helped His Majesty achieve his Titled Douluo rank."
"With the authority of our clan's reputation behind the claim, the Spirit Hall would hesitate to act rashly. Unless they wish to completely rupture relations, they must back down."
"After all, our clan is part of the Upper Three Sects. If we stand united, even the Spirit Hall will think twice about confronting us directly."
He spoke with conviction, but Yu Yuanzhen frowned deeply. "Yes, the Upper Three Sects may appear allied… but the Blood Demon Ritual is known only to our clan. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no part in it. Have you forgotten? That boy Luo Ling from their sect is the one who humiliated you at the tournament."
At that name, Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened, his jaw tightening. He loathed Luo Ling to his core. Drawing a deep breath, he muttered, "The Seven Treasure Sect may not side with us—but we can turn to the Clear Sky Sect instead."
As he spoke, he turned toward a chamber door.
It opened quietly, and two figures stepped out.
Yu Yuanzhen and Emperor Xue Ye both stiffened in surprise.
"These are the Clear Sky Douluo and his son, Tang San—my disciple," Yu Xiaogang introduced smoothly. "Your Majesty and my father should recognize them. They, too, have practiced the Blood Demon Ritual."
A faint smirk curved his lips. He hadn't told anyone that Tang Hao and Tang San had contacted him days ago.
At his words, Xue Ye and Yu Yuanzhen exchanged knowing glances—they immediately understood.
"Clear Sky Douluo… can you represent your sect?" Yu Yuanzhen asked, his sharp gaze landing on Tang Hao. The man's name was legend—the youngest Titled Douluo in history.
"I can return and persuade my elder brother to support our alliance," Tang Hao said firmly.
"With the Clear Sky Sect added to the Heaven Dou Empire and the Blue Lightning Clan, we finally have enough to oppose the Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang declared confidently.
The three Titled Douluo in the room pondered silently for a long moment before nodding together.
"Should we bring in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well?" Emperor Xue Ye suggested. "They have two Titled Douluo. If we offer them the Blood Demon Ritual, they'd surely join our cause."
"No!"
The answer came instantly—from both Yu Xiaogang and Tang Hao.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at them in surprise. He could understand his son's objection—Luo Ling's humiliation still burned in his mind—but Tang Hao? Why was he against it?
Sensing the questioning gazes, Tang Hao drew a slow breath and said,
"You've all heard of Luo Ling. He belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect…"
"But do you know his other identity?"
The others exchanged puzzled looks but stayed silent, waiting.
"The Enigmatic Sorcerer," Tang Hao said flatly.
The room fell still.
For several seconds, no one reacted—then Emperor Xue Ye's eyes widened. "Haotian Douluo, are you saying Luo Ling is the Enigmatic Sorcerer?"
"That's right."
"Father… is that true?" Tang San asked, his voice rising with barely contained anger.
Tang Hao nodded, his eyes filled with trace resentment.
"Luo Ling is the Enigmatic Sorcerer. The man who fought you in Soto City and slandered us both—that was him."
"Do you remember at the Soul Master Tournament? That power he revealed at the end?"
"The scythe he wielded was merely a soul skill weapon—his real martial soul is that puppet-like entity. And the hallmark of the Enigmatic Sorcerer… is puppetry itself."
(END CHAPTER)
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