Inside the imperial palace, if the blessings of the commoners outside were false and insincere, then those here were truly heartfelt.
Everyone present was an imperial noble. Xue Beng's policies were much better for them than Xue Qinghe's had ever been, greatly enhancing their power and status. So now, they genuinely supported this crown prince from the bottom of their hearts.
Today was the day the crown prince would take his official wife. What did the crown prince's official wife represent? The future empress of the empire, of course. Everyone wanted to curry favor.
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Wishing you and the crown princess eternal happiness!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness!"
Hearing the continuous felicitations from the nobles, Xue Beng was smug. No matter how reserved Shui Bing'er tried to act, she was now his.
He knew Shui Bing'er's personality well. As long as he married her, she would never betray him. In the future, she would become one of his strongest subordinates. It was a pity, though, that another powerful subordinate he had his eye on still hadn't appeared.
Xue Beng found Tai Tan, who was already seated, and asked, "Senior Tai Tan, still no news from Brother Tang or Uncle Tang Hao?"
Tai Tan shook his head heavily, "No. Both the empire and the Clear Sky Sect have people searching everywhere, but there's no trace of them. I'm worried, could something have happened to Young Master and the master?"
"No, Senior Tai Tan. Brother Tang is blessed by fate, and Uncle Tang Hao is the invincible Clear Sky Douluo. Who could harm them? I'm sure they're just busy with something important." Xue Beng comforted him, and also comforted himself. It wasn't that he had deep feelings for Tang San; it was just that the Tang father and son were far too important in his plans for the future.
"Fifth Elder of the Clear Sky Sect, His Majesty Zhen Tian, Seventh Elder, His Majesty Lie Yang, and the master of Yue Xuan, Tang Yuehua, have arrived!"
At this moment, several important guests arrived: two Titled Douluo elders from the Clear Sky Sect, and Tang Hao's younger sister, Tang Yuehua. This was a big show of respect for Xue Beng.
Xue Beng immediately went forward to welcome them. "Xue Beng greets Your Majesties Zhen Tian and Lie Yang. Your presence brings great honor to my family."
It had to be said—Xue Beng's approach to the nobility was flawless. He looked down on commoners, but was always humble and respectful to nobles and Soul masters.
This was how high-ranking people in Douluo Continent should act. It was also the main reason Emperor Xue Ye favored Xue Beng.
What was the use of Xue Qinghe caring about the commoners? Soul masters and nobles were the real ruling class.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Are we the only ones from the Three Great Sects? Did anyone come from Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Lie Yang Douluo asked.
"A Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan elder did come, but not a single person from Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I guess they look down on me." Xue Beng feigned self-deprecation.
"Hmph!" Zhen Tian Douluo snorted coldly. "Your Highness needn't care. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect always has their noses in the air. They disrespect the royal family and cower before Spirit Hall. They claim to be the new number one sect, but with that attitude, they'll soon be isolated."
After Spirit Hall re-ranked the nine great sects, Clear Sky Sect had been replaced by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as number one. These two Titled Douluo clearly resented their school losing the top spot.
"Fifth Elder, Seventh Elder, don't fall for Spirit Hall's tricks. Their new rankings are meant to provoke us to fight the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Tang Yuehua saw through Spirit Hall's scheme.
But this was an open plot. If the Clear Sky Sect ignored it, people would say they were afraid of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Even if Tang Xiao could calm the hot-tempered elders for a time, not forever. Eventually, there would be an explosion.
"Let's talk about this later. The wedding is about to begin. Please, take your seats." Xue Beng didn't want to discuss this on such a happy day. He planned to deal with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sooner or later anyway.
Even though Tang San had healed his arm, the hatred for losing it remained. He would eventually take revenge on Chen Xin and Tianlin.
Soon all the guests arrived. The auspicious hour came. Supported by Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er, wearing light makeup and a red wedding dress, slowly entered the hall.
Her breathtaking beauty and graceful figure made Xue Beng's heart burn with desire. Tonight, this unrivaled beauty would be his.
Shui Bing'er bit her lip. For the honor of the Heaven Dou royal family, she couldn't cry. She had to force a smile.
Emperor Xue Ye sat on the throne, looking at his son and daughter-in-law with satisfaction. Although he had lost three sons, at least the Heaven Dou royal family still had an heir.
Below, Huo Wu, Xue Wu, and others clenched their fists. Their sister was being forced to marry someone she didn't love, and they could do nothing.
"From Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Yang Wudi arrives!"
Just then, the eunuch announced another unexpected arrival. Most thought the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't send anyone, but here was their envoy, fashionably late.
Yang Wudi, though brash, was smart. He was here to ruin the wedding, but instead of barging in, he entered with congratulatory words, saving himself much trouble.
Seeing Yang Wudi, Tai Tan was delighted. "Haha, old goat, so Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sent you to offer congratulations? Why so late? You'll have to drink three cups as punishment. We haven't had a good drink in ages!"
Yang Wudi glanced at Tai Tan. "Old ape, I'm not here to drink with you today. I wasn't sent by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to celebrate. I'm here to kill him!"
"Fifth soul skill: Break!"
Yang Wudi instantly summoned the Breaking Soul Spear and attacked Xue Beng. His attack power was no less than a Titled Douluo, and his sudden strike caught everyone off guard.
After all, who would expect anyone to attempt an assassination at the crown prince's wedding?
Xue Beng watched the spear approach, less than ten centimeters away, plunged into utter despair. With his strength, he couldn't possibly survive the Breaking Soul Spear.
Just then, an iron hammer appeared out of nowhere and knocked the spear aside. It was Lie Yang Douluo.
At that critical moment, even a Spirit Douluo wouldn't have reacted in time, but a Titled Douluo was on another level entirely.
Xue Beng broke out in a cold sweat, nearly collapsing from Yang Wudi's murderous aura.
Emperor Xue Ye was furious. "Yang Wudi, you dare attack the crown prince?! Royal Knights, seize this criminal and execute him immediately!"
Countless Royal Knights, as well as the three deans of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and Marshal Ge Long, surrounded Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi stood tall, unafraid. He had once fought Spirit Hall itself—why would he fear the Heaven Dou Empire? Even if several Spirit Douluo attacked together, they couldn't take him down quickly. The real problem was the two Titled Douluo from the Clear Sky Sect.
They had just saved Xue Beng, so they would surely intervene. Yang Wudi knew he couldn't beat them; all he could do now was fight for his life.
…
Meanwhile, in the secret chamber within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Tianlin slowly opened his eyes, a smile on his lips.
He had spent a whole month absorbing this soul ring, and at last, he had succeeded.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, red, red, red, dark gold!
Nine soul rings circled the blade of the Demon Sword.
At this moment, Titled Douluo Jun Tianlin officially descended upon the world!