Returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's hotel in Heaven Dou, Ning Fengzhi initiated another round of discussions.
"Rongrong, did you discover anything?"
Rather than remaining completely in the dark, he hoped his daughter had noticed something unusual.
Well, it almost felt like without Ning Rongrong, they wouldn't even know how to think.
No—that wasn't quite right.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, dismissing the random thoughts.
All eyes turned to Ning Rongrong, who remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"The chaotic killing intent within Xue Ke most likely originates from the Slaughter Domain."
"Are you certain?" Ning Fengzhi pressed, just as he had before.
"Almost certain." Ning Rongrong nodded. She had sensed Bibi Dong's aura before.
The killing intent within Xue Ke was extremely similar, though Bibi Dong's was more restrained, while the energy in Xue Ke was wildly unrestrained.
"Logically, Xue Qinghe should have noticed it."
Since Ye Renxin was unaware of Xue Qinghe's true identity, Ning Rongrong didn't elaborate further.
Ning Fengzhi fell silent for a moment before changing the subject.
"Rongrong, what do you think we should do?"
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is in a little over a month. Let's focus on resolving Sister Yan's situation first. Elder Dugu must be worried, right?"
"Indeed." Dugu Bo nodded.
No matter what conflicts might exist between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall, ensuring his granddaughter gained full control of her Misfortune Poison Body took precedence.
Besides, even if trouble arose, it wouldn't be for another month.
There was still time.
As Ning Rongrong and the others discussed how to handle Dugu Yan's "condition," a furious roar suddenly shook the heavens, its force so intense it made eardrums throb.
"What was that?!"
Everyone felt the ground tremble beneath them, as if an inexplicable pressure had enveloped all of Heaven Dou City.
A deep, thunderous voice boomed from the sky.
"Xue Qinghe, come out!"
Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and Sword Douluo immediately stood up upon hearing the voice.
At the same time, the citizens of Heaven Dou City looked up in shock.
Ordinary people's vision wasn't sharp enough to clearly make out the figure hovering above, but they could see a massive sword glowing with a sinister red light in his right hand.
An aura of bloodlust and oppression radiated from him, chilling the air like an unnatural winter.
Hearing the challenge, Xue Qinghe slowly stepped out of the palace, his brows furrowed.
His disguise soul bone had been personally enhanced by his grandfather, making it nearly impossible for even someone of the same level to see through it.
But he hadn't expected him to be the one who came.
Xue Qinghe and Zi Ji strode out of the palace gates.
In the sky, the cloaked figure descended, landing atop one of the palace's tallest structures and looking down imperiously.
"A 96th-ranked Title Douluo—no wonder you dared to attack my great-grandson."
"Slaughter King Tang Chen, I have no idea what you're talking about!" Xue Qinghe retorted.
Tang Chen's identity as the Slaughter King had become widely known over the past two and a half years.
"Hmph, 'no idea'?" Tang Chen snorted coldly.
The terrifying pressure he unleashed forced even Zi Ji and Xue Qinghe to step back.
"Oh? Xue Qinghe, it seems you're not as weak as the rumors suggest."
Tang Chen couldn't tell how Xue Qinghe was concealing his true strength, but did it matter?
He was here today for one reason—to avenge his great-grandson, Tang San.
Sending a 96th-ranked Title Douluo to hunt down his descendant? If not for the contingency measures he had left, his prodigious twin-Martial Soul great-grandson might have perished.
"Lord Tang Chen, you're crossing the line."
"Have you forgotten the agreement between Spirit Hall and the Upper Three Sects?"
The pact forbade 99th-ranked Limit Douluo from wantonly slaughtering across the continent—an agreement established by his grandfather, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen when the Clear Sky Sect re-emerged.
Naturally, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was included, given their own 99th-ranked powerhouse.
Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had agreed, though it hardly benefited them.
But they were still part of the Upper Three Sects, weren't they?
"Hmph, I'm not violating the agreement!"
"Today, I, Tang Chen, am acting as an elder seeking justice for his junior!"
"Lord Tang Chen, as far as I know, we've done nothing to provoke the Clear Sky Sect recently, have we?"
Xue Qinghe was genuinely puzzled. With the tournament approaching, all major factions had been keeping a low profile, avoiding large-scale conflicts.
"Ask the Title Douluo beside you—did he hunt down a youth named Tang Yin?"
"His real name is Tang San—my great-grandson!"
"Tang Yin… is Tang San?"
Xue Qinghe's expression shifted from shock to realization, then to something unreadable.
Though furious about Xue Ke's near-death state, he couldn't afford to show weakness before Tang Chen.
But what the hell was the Clear Sky Sect thinking?
Did Tang San destroy Tang Yuehua's life's work?
Were they so addicted to smashing buildings that, unable to target Spirit Hall due to the agreement, they turned on their own?
This was beyond absurd…
"Hmph, Slaughter King, you have some nerve."
"Why don't you ask what your precious Tang San did—or did he conveniently leave that part out?" Zi Ji sneered.
Though still unfamiliar with human politics, Zi Ji knew one thing—the Star Dou Great Forest had no shortage of 99th-ranked powerhouses.
She wasn't afraid of him.
And with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect here, did he really think he could kill them both?
"What do you mean?" Tang Chen's eyes narrowed as an overwhelming pressure bore down on Zi Ji.
"Boom—!"
Zi Ji staggered back, blood trickling from her lips.
Fine. Very well, Tang Chen.
She'd remember this.
Gritting her teeth, Zi Ji met Tang Chen's cold gaze.
"Your Tang San rampaged through the Moon Pavilion without reason, slaughtering not only the nobles there for etiquette lessons but also nearly killing Princess Xue Ke—the younger sister of His Majesty and a disciple of Tang Yuehua."
"Had it not been for a special life-saving measure, she would have died on the spot."
"Lord Tang Chen, shouldn't you be the one giving us an explanation?"
What? The Moon Pavilion?
Tang Yuehua?
Tang Chen, who had rushed here in a fury, froze.
What the hell was going on?
Due to political sensitivities and the uncertain stance of the Heaven Dou Emperor, Tang Yuehua hadn't even returned to the Clear Sky Sect during its re-emergence ceremony.
But this?
His great-grandson had destroyed his granddaughter's establishment?
This wasn't just a case of friendly fire—it was a catastrophic blunder.
Earlier, Tang San had used the emergency measure he left him to send a message:
"The Heaven Dou Emperor sent a Title Douluo named Zi Ji to hunt me. Great-grandfather, come quickly—Tang San requests urgent aid."
How dare someone move against his descendant while he ruled over Slaughter City?
At first, he suspected Qian Daoliu and Spirit Hall.
After all, the Heaven Dou Emperor was known to be close to Qian Daoliu's granddaughter.
This was precisely why the Clear Sky Sect had kept Tang Yuehua's affiliation secret—intelligence mattered!
Moreover, according to reports, Tang Yuehua had even taken the Heaven Dou Emperor's sister as a disciple.
If they could make Xue Qinghe see Spirit Hall's true, malevolent nature beneath its benevolent facade, they might even sway him to their side—along with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Thus, they hadn't assigned Tang Yuehua any overt missions.
Yet this single oversight had led to Tang San presenting his token to Tang Yuehua, hoping she'd help him refine his spirit… only for this tragedy to unfold.
Had his granddaughter truly…?
"Lord Slaughter King, don't you think barging into the Heaven Dou Palace is a bit excessive?"
Led by Sword Douluo, the group flew to a position not far from Tang Chen.
Ning Fengzhi stood at the center—clearly the one calling the shots.