Chapter 289: The Fleeing Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan
After Yang Potian departed, Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression turned serious. "Bibi Dong, are you really going to join Yang Potian on a hunt for spirit rings? Remember, this time the destination is the Star Dou Forest's core area. If we encounter Di Tian and his forces, it could spell trouble."
He paused, then added, "Besides, Yang Potian has always been shrouded in mystery. No one truly knows his intentions. If he betrays us at a critical moment, it could cost us dearly."
Bibi Dong's face also hardened. "I've been wary of Yang Potian from the start. He's far too enigmatic, and his true strength is unfathomable. But those two hundred-thousand-year spirit rings are something I absolutely need. No matter the risk, I must go to the Star Dou Forest."
Golden Crocodile Douluo looked conflicted. "Are we letting ourselves be taken advantage of here? The Spirit Empire is putting forth vast resources and risking much in this hunt, yet those two hundred-thousand-year spirit bones will be handed over to Yang Potian for free."
Bibi Dong's gaze turned icy. "Those two spirit bones may indeed be tempting, but Yang Potian will need to do far more than talk if he wants them. He'll have to earn them."
Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed. "I can't shake the feeling that Yang Potian's assistance is self-serving. I just hope he's not planning something that will harm the Spirit Empire. Be cautious."
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, lost in thought. "You're right. Yang Potian's motives are suspicious. He's also intent on finding the Dark Devilgod Tiger and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. I suspect his true aim lies with those two spirit beasts. We cannot allow him to obtain them."
Golden Crocodile Douluo's face turned grave. "The Dark Devilgod Tiger is rumored to be a mutation, imbued with the Dark God's power, transforming a White Tiger's natural light attributes into darkness. Upon death, it's said to release a black orb that vanishes into the void. I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what Yang Potian is after. As for the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, it's a legendary creature with the rare power of fate."
"Whatever Yang Potian's plans, we must prevent him from acquiring these two beasts. If he does, he could become our Empire's greatest threat."
Bibi Dong nodded, absorbed in her own reflections.
Meanwhile, Yang Potian, moving swiftly, returned to Tianxing Academy within half a day. He made no announcements upon his arrival and retreated to his quarters to rest, letting his plans unfold.
Elsewhere, following the catastrophic battle in Heaven Dou City, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo led the surviving members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—barely a few dozen people now—toward Tianxing Academy.
Sword Douluo, wary, remarked, "Fengzhi, something seems off about the Spirit Empire's attack. They pursued us for hundreds of kilometers, yet gave up so easily. Could they have another purpose?"
Ning Fengzhi's face darkened. The losses suffered by his clan were staggering, even worse than during the last conflict. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were both severely injured, and only a fraction of their disciples remained—hardly even enough to sustain the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's legacy. They were less than one of the Seven Major Sects now, barely matching some minor factions in numbers.
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment. "The Spirit Empire's strategy this time is completely different. In both the previous spirit-hunting actions and the Heaven Dou coup, they allocated a certain amount of force but never committed as fully as they did now. I suspect another hand is guiding these events from behind the scenes."
He added, "Another thing to consider is how the Spirit Empire dispatched five Titled Douluo to target us specifically. They aimed to cripple the clan, especially our younger disciples. While they came after us heavily, their intensity didn't match what they used against the Clear Sky Clan."
Bone Douluo's face paled. "Does that mean the Clear Sky Clan is doomed?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded grimly. "The Clear Sky Clan has five Titled Douluo, but I suspect Bibi Dong planned a more thorough assault on them. Even she joined the fight, so the Clear Sky Clan's situation might be far worse than ours."
Sword Douluo frowned. "I find that hard to believe. Tang Xiao is still a Level 97 Titled Douluo. If he wanted to flee, not even Bibi Dong could stop him. And even though Tang Hao's power is damaged, if he fights desperately, he's still a force to be reckoned with."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "That's precisely my concern. The Spirit Empire sent over a dozen Titled Douluo this time, clearly aiming to obliterate the Clear Sky Clan entirely, while also wiping out the Heaven Dou royal family. If the royal family falls, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan won't have any hope of recovery."
Sword Douluo's face grew somber. "But Fengzhi, the Heaven Dou Empire has a million-strong army. Surely, they can't be defeated so easily."
Ning Fengzhi's expression was troubled. "Sword Uncle, this has gone beyond the scope of the Heaven Dou Empire alone. Bibi Dong has cut them off at the roots by wiping out the royal family. With no unified leadership, that million-strong army will scatter. They'll be powerless to resist the Spirit Empire's advance."
Bone Douluo considered this for a moment. "But then, why would Bibi Dong recall Thousand-Jun Douluo and Demon Conqueror Douluo if they're still focused on Heaven Dou? Isn't that allowing us to slip away?"
Ning Fengzhi's face filled with despair. "It's over—our clan has no future. Bibi Dong's true target was never the Heaven Dou royal family. Her objective is the Xing Luo royal family."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were visibly shocked. "How can that be? The Xing Luo Empire is far stronger than Heaven Dou, and their Emperor is a Titled Douluo. His fusion technique with the Empress rivals ours in strength."
Ning Fengzhi's face was full of bitterness. "Since our retreat, we've heard no news from Heaven Dou City. The Spirit Empire has neither taken over nor used the royal family to command the army. This suggests that their focus lies elsewhere. The only prize worthy of their full attention is the Xing Luo royal family."
"Are you saying Bibi Dong's army will attack Xing Luo City?"
"That seems likely. I believe Bibi Dong, taking advantage of the delay in news from Heaven Dou's fall, has led her Titled Douluo forces directly toward Xing Luo City. Even though Xing Luo's Emperor and Empress are strong, and the city has thousands of spirit masters and tens of thousands of soldiers, they're no match for Bibi Dong's twelve Titled Douluo and a thousand elite spirit masters."
Bone Douluo's face grew darker. "If your suspicions are correct, then the Xing Luo royal family may have already been wiped out."
Ning Fengzhi laughed bitterly. "Bibi Dong is ruthless, cunning, and completely committed. With both royal families destroyed, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Clear Sky Clan in ruins, the two empires' scattered armies will be powerless against the Spirit Empire. Nothing will stand in the way of their ambition to rule the continent."
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