"Stop being sarcastic. Aren't you curious about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda too?" Xue Qinghe rolled his eyes. "If you weren't, you wouldn't have been asking so many questions earlier."
"Tch, I am a little curious, but..."
"Compared to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, I have my own mission." The woman paused slightly, then looked at Xue Qinghe. "When do you plan to make your move?"
"Didn't you already discuss the timing with Grandfather long ago?" Xue Qinghe glanced at the woman behind him. "Miss Zi Ji, where is that Lady Bi Ji?"
"Bi Ji is healing Di Tian. The injuries from two and a half years ago haven't fully recovered yet." Although there were suspicions that the opponent had used underhanded methods, Di Tian's soul had been wounded by an unknown toxin one "kun" year ago, and even now, it hadn't completely healed.
"Ning Rongrong, huh..." Xue Qinghe set down the brush in his hand and sighed quietly. "Never mind. Sooner or later, I'll see her true face."
"Actually, I'm a little curious—what kind of strength does your 'Master' possess?"
To be called "Master" by Di Tian and to be deeply feared by his grandfather Qian Daoliu, the Sovereign of Soul Beasts—it was impossible not to be curious.
"I don't know. Aside from the Master herself, only Di Tian or Bi Ji would have a clearer idea." Zi Ji had always believed in doing only what her strength allowed. As a soul beast nearing 300,000 years, there was no need to know too much. Sometimes, curiosity could kill the cat.
"However, I once heard Di Tian mention that the Master's current strength shouldn't be inferior to the Angel God at its peak."
"Impressive." Xue Qinghe's words lacked sincerity. After a brief pause, he changed the subject. "Miss Zi Ji, why does the Star Dou Great Forest believe our two sides can stand on the same line?"
"That's because the malicious energy on your mother has disappeared." Zi Ji didn't elaborate further, but Xue Qinghe's eyelids flickered slightly as he fell into silence.
He slowly stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the gradually darkening sky in the distance.
"Yes... you're not wrong."
"Aside from cooperating with you, the Spirit Hall has no other choice."
"How ironic." Qian Renxue mocked herself. "The Spirit Hall was once established to protect humans from soul beasts, yet now..."
"Miss Qian Renxue, humans and soul beasts are no different. In fact, compared to soul beasts, some human behaviors are far more disgusting."
"Enough with the persuasion, Zi Ji." Qian Renxue turned around, her voice calm as she looked at the purple-haired woman standing quietly before her. "Since we're on the same boat now, I have a question."
"Can my grandfather, Qian Daoliu, become a god?" As a divine servant, Qian Daoliu could not ascend to godhood—something she had only recently learned from Bibi Dong.
Zi Ji fell silent for a long time before answering.
"Matters involving gods are beyond my understanding. While I have a good relationship with Di Tian, regarding the Master, she rarely meets with weaker soul beasts like me."
"But from what I know, if a god perishes, their divine servants can abandon their posts and ascend to godhood."
"Is that so? That's enough." Not long ago, Bibi Dong had warned her that if she didn't want Qian Daoliu to die, she should not participate in the ninth trial of the Angel God's examination—it was a ritual that required the divine servant to ignite the divine flame.
"Once matters here are settled, I'll go with you to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Grandfather will likely come as well. As for her..."
Xue Qinghe shook her head and didn't continue.
After a long journey, Ning Rongrong's group finally arrived at Heaven Dou City.
The moment they stepped through the gates, Sword Douluo and Grandpa Bone sensed faint soul power fluctuations. Their expressions turned serious as they shielded Ning Rongrong and the other two, looking up at the sky.
A purple-haired woman descended from the city walls, light as a feather, her toes barely touching the ground.
Her long purple dress added a touch of allure to her demeanor.
"Greetings, esteemed members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I have been sent by His Majesty to escort you to the palace. This is his token." Seeing their wariness, Zi Ji spoke first, her voice light and slightly magnetic, carrying an inexplicable charm.
"His Majesty is most thoughtful."
Ning Fengzhi glanced casually at the token and nodded.
No one would dare impersonate Xue Qinghe in Heaven Dou's imperial capital—after all, Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue.
Anyone who tried would have long been executed.
"How should we address you, Your Excellency?" Ning Fengzhi studied the purple-haired woman before him—her mature beauty and seemingly formidable strength.
"My name is Zi Ji. Moved by His Majesty Qinghe's grand ambitions, I have come to offer my assistance." As she spoke, Zi Ji guided them toward the palace.
The entire journey consisted mostly of idle chatter between Ning Fengzhi and Zi Ji, while Sword Douluo and Grandpa Bone remained silent, their vigilant gazes fixed on Zi Ji's back.
Soon, they arrived within the palace.
"Imperial Tutor, I shall not accompany you further. I trust you know the way." With that, Zi Ji vanished in an instant, as if she had never been there.
"Is she from the Spirit Hall? Another terrifying powerhouse." Ning Fengzhi sighed as he watched Zi Ji's ghostly figure disappear. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, can you gauge her strength?"
Sword Douluo and Grandpa Bone exchanged glances before the latter spoke. "Her aura is somewhat similar to mine, though slightly weaker. She should be around rank 96 Title Douluo."
Ning Fengzhi sucked in a sharp breath.
The Spirit Hall's power was growing more and more terrifying.
If he recalled correctly, both Tuoba Xi and Hu Yanzhen had also become Title Douluo.
Tuoba Xi was now the marshal of Heaven Dou's army, while Hu Yanzhen was the patriarch of the Elephant Armor Clan—both had pledged allegiance to the Spirit Hall. By now, the Spirit Hall likely had dozens of Title Douluo.
Ning Rongrong, however, glanced in the direction Zi Ji had disappeared. Due to the crowded palace, she kept her thoughts to herself.
Under Ning Fengzhi's familiar guidance, the group arrived at Xue Qinghe's residence.
Xue Qinghe was alone, reviewing memorials. Hearing footsteps, he slowly looked up.
"Teacher!"
Xue Qinghe quickly rose and stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi hurriedly reached out to stop him, smiling gently. "Qinghe, you're an emperor now. There's no need to be overly formal with etiquette."
"Understood, Teacher." Xue Qinghe thought for a moment before adding, "I've heard an old saying—'A teacher for a day is a father for life.'"
"Teacher, I am endlessly grateful for your guidance."
"Enough with the sentimental talk. I came this time to ask for your help with something."
"What matter does Teacher refer to...?" Ning Fengzhi wanted to purchase Tang Yuehua's time—something he had already stated in his letter. Xue Qinghe had also given Tang Yuehua a heads-up, but the woman wished to meet Ning Fengzhi privately.
Xue Qinghe couldn't help but admire Tang Yuehua. Despite not being a soul master, she had thrived in Heaven Dou's imperial capital—and without relying on the Clear Sky Sect's influence.
Wasn't that far more inspiring than that so-called "Grandmaster," Yu Xiaogang?
Though rumors said Tang Yuehua and the late Emperor Xue Ye had been involved, ambiguity could mean many things.
For example... ahem.
In any case, Emperor Xue Ye was already dead.
As for Tang Yuehua—with Xue Ke still there—Xue Qinghe had no intention of moving against her unless absolutely necessary.