In the Shrek Academy of Tian Dou City, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo arrived, covered in dust from their journey. Ning Fengzhi no longer appeared as elegant as before, and even Bone Douluo bore some injuries.
The sight of Ning Fengzhi in such a state shocked everyone. As the leader of one of the top three sects, Ning Fengzhi held an extremely prestigious position and always maintained a calm demeanor.
Flender was also surprised: "Sect Leader Ning, what happened to you?"
Ning Fengzhi revealed a bitter smile: "A major upheaval occurred in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I've come to find Rongrong."
Soon, Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Flender gathered in a meeting room.
Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Qin Shuang quickly joined them.
Seeing her father's condition, Ning Rongrong's face changed instantly. She rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern.
"Dad, what happened? Why is Grandpa Bone injured?"
Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened: "Rongrong, yesterday the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was attacked by enemies. The battle lasted for two hours, and we suffered heavy losses before finally repelling them."
Ning Rongrong's face paled dramatically: "Dad, could it be that the Spirit Hall has struck at us?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded: "Who else but the Spirit Hall could mobilize so many soul masters? This time, they deployed nearly ten thousand soul masters and four Title Douluos just to deal with our sect."
"Had our scouts not obtained prior information, we might have been in grave danger."
Ning Rongrong quickly asked: "Dad, how is the sect faring now? And why hasn't Little Bear come with you?"
Ning Fengzhi replied: "Rongrong, although our sect suffered significant losses this time, we inflicted heavy damage on the enemy and even killed two of their Title Douluos. We should be relatively safe in the short term."
"Little Xiong sustained some injuries while fighting the Devil Bear Douluo head-on. He's currently recuperating within the sect and should recover soon."
Hearing this, everyone was astonished. Yang Xiong was only at level sixty-nine—how could he possibly fight a Title Douluo directly?
Tears welled up in Ning Rongrong's eyes: "Little Bear must be severely injured. I need to return to the sect immediately to see him. If only I had gone back with him earlier; with my support, he would have fared much better."
Seeing Ning Rongrong so distraught, Ning Fengzhi quickly consoled her: "Rongrong, throughout yesterday's battle, I supported Little Bear personally. He fought valiantly and inflicted serious injuries on the Devil Bear Douluo."
"He's perfectly fine now. You can rest assured."
Ning Rongrong relaxed slightly: "Dad, what should I do now? Should I return to the sect immediately?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded: "Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect achieved a great victory, the casualties were numerous. We need a strong core figure. You are the sole Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial soul bearer in our sect and its heir. Your presence will surely boost morale."
Ning Rongrong felt somewhat reassured: "Dad, let's hurry back to the sect. I want to check on Little Bear's condition."
Meanwhile, Oscar and Qin Shuang approached Ning Rongrong. They had overheard the conversation and were deeply shocked. They couldn't help but admire Yang Xiong immensely—no one had ever imagined that a Soul Emperor could stand against a Title Douluo.
However, Ning Fengzhi turned to Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong: "Master Yu, aside from bringing Rongrong back to the sect, I also want to warn you both. If the Spirit Hall has struck at us, they won't give us any time to catch our breath."
"Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has been severely damaged, and your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan may also be in danger."
Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were startled. They were well aware of the Spirit Hall's ruthlessness, and since the top three sects had always opposed the Spirit Hall, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was likely in dire straits as well.
After Ning Fengzhi left with Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Qin Shuang, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong hurried back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Instead of returning to the sect immediately after leaving Shrek Academy, Ning Fengzhi headed straight for the imperial palace.
Upon hearing Ning Fengzhi's account, Emperor Xue Ye grew furious: "What does the Spirit Hall intend to do? Do they really seek to dominate the world?"
Ning Fengzhi quickly interjected: "Emperor Xue Ye, their ambitions surely extend beyond targeting the top three sects. Moreover, during their attack on our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, there were many suspicious aspects to their operation."
"In particular, the fact that they mobilized ten thousand soul masters to attack us without any prior warning is highly unusual."
Emperor Xue Ye looked puzzled: "Sect Leader Ning, speak plainly. We are all allies here. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Tian Dou Imperial Family have always supported each other."
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned bitter, but he quickly relayed Yang Xiong's analysis to Emperor Xue Ye.
After hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye's face changed drastically: "Sect Leader Ning, the Tian Dou Imperial Family has always fully supported the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's business. There has never been any conflict between us. We would never engage in such self-destructive actions."
Ning Fengzhi responded: "Emperor Xue Ye, I trust you completely. However, this matter is exceedingly strange. There may be some moles within the Tian Dou Imperial Family. I hope you can address this swiftly."
"Moreover, I fear these moles have more sinister motives. Their target may not just be our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—they might have even greater plans."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded: "Sect Leader Ning, rest assured. I will handle the moles within the Tian Dou Imperial Family promptly and provide you with an explanation."
"By the way, Sect Leader Ning, what are the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's plans moving forward?"
Ning Fengzhi replied: "Although our sect has suffered some damage this time, our foundation remains intact. I plan to rebuild the sect quickly, which means we may focus less on external matters."
Emperor Xue Ye expressed deep regret: "Sect Leader Ning, I am deeply sorry to hear of this calamity that has befallen the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I will station fifty thousand troops outside your sect. If any scoundrels dare to attack again, they will face the wrath of the Tian Dou Empire's army. Additionally, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. The Tian Dou Empire will fully support your rebuilding efforts."
…
After the discussion ended, Emperor Xue Ye's face turned ashen.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had always provided strong support to the Tian Dou Empire in terms of high-level soul masters. However, now that they had suffered such heavy losses, Ning Fengzhi's future support for the Tian Dou Imperial Family would undoubtedly diminish, making it even harder to resist the Spirit Hall.
At the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the entire area was engulfed in flames. As Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong rowed through the clan's moat, countless bodies floated on the water's surface, all clad in the attire of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were stunned, their bodies trembling violently. These were their clansmen, their brothers and sisters.
Now, the entire sect lay in ruins. Corpses were everywhere, and the stench of blood filled the air, almost suffocating.
When Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong entered the inner sanctum of the clan, the devastation was complete. The clan's signboard had been destroyed, and even the massive statue of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, symbolizing the family, had been reduced to rubble. Bodies were strewn everywhere, and the air reeked of decay.
Trembling, the two approached the grand throne of the clan leader. Sitting atop the throne was the towering corpse of Yu Yuanzhen, the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen's body was mutilated, unable to remain intact. It seemed as though his flesh had been peeled away, and the three ancestral soul bones of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had vanished without a trace.
Yu Xiaogang stared at the mangled corpse, his entire body shaking, his face contorted in anguish.
This was his father. Never had he imagined his father would meet such a tragic end. The cruelty and power of their enemies were undeniable.
Yu Xiaogang roared: "Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall, I will never forgive you! I will make you pay!"
With this cry of hatred, Yu Xiaogang collapsed unconscious.
Liu Erlong also fainted. In her arms, she clutched the broken remains of another body—her father, Yu Luomian.
Thus, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was utterly annihilated, save for a few members who had been away on missions.
Spirit City, Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong sat calmly on her throne, listening to a bishop report on the results of the recent "Blazing Fire Operation". Clearly, Bibi Dong was confident in this "Soul Hunt," as their forces vastly outnumbered their enemies.
The reporting individual was drenched in sweat: "Your Holiness, this time we dispatched ten thousand soul masters to attack the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, including hundreds from the lower four sects."
"However, it seems the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect received prior intelligence. They made immediate preparations."
"Our attacking forces suffered heavy losses. Seven thousand soul masters perished, and around two thousand were severely injured."
"Among the four elders who participated in this operation, Elder Snake Spear was killed on the spot by Sword Douluo, and Elder Porcupinefish was killed by Bone Douluo. Elders Devil Bear and Ling Yuan were heavily wounded and may take a long time to recover."
Bibi Dong's previously serene expression turned grim: "What did you say? We mobilized ten thousand soul masters, and it was a surprise attack. Both our high-level and ordinary soul masters outnumbered the enemy by more than double. Yet you're telling me our losses are seven times theirs?"
"And that's not all—you lost two elders, and the other two were gravely injured. What exactly did you do?"
An overwhelming aura emanated from Bibi Dong. The reporting elder felt as if he were in hell, his body drenched in sweat.
Bibi Dong sneered: "Tell me the specifics of the battle. How did you fools turn this war into such a disaster?"
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)