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The news of Yu Tianheng's death, along with the marriage alliance between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect, quickly spread across the entire continent under Emperor Xue Ye's deliberate manipulation.
Invitations were sent to all of the continent's notable powers, including even the Heavenly Dragon Gang and the Spirit Hall.
As soon as this news came out, the continent was thrown into an uproar.
At Shrek Academy, Lan Minghua continued his usual idle, carefree routine, showing no interest in outside affairs.
Suddenly, as he lay lazily on a chair, Lan Minghua opened his eyes.
A voice sounded in his ear—it was Yingxian.
"Master, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be holding a banquet two days from now, and they have invited all the major forces, including the Spirit Hall. The Heavenly Dragon Gang is also included."
Yingxian held an invitation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, respectfully handing it to Lan Minghua.
Lan Minghua, his eyes half-lidded and lifeless like a dead fish, looked at the invitation in confusion. "What, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is really that bold? Did Liang Jingru give them the courage?"
After all, thanks to the Spirit Hall's propaganda, the entire continent already knew that Ning Fengzhi had died at Lan Minghua's hands.
And yet now, for such a grand event—the marriage between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect, a matter destined to shake the continent—they dared to invite the Heavenly Dragon Gang?
Even without thinking, anyone could tell it was a trap.
Lan Minghua immediately grew interested. "Since you've returned, that means you've investigated everything. Tell me—what are the other factions' reactions? Especially the Spirit Hall's."
Yingxian reported, "The Spirit Hall agreed to attend. They will present a left arm bone of fifty thousand years as a congratulatory gift, personally delivered by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's Yu Yuanzhen, enraged over Yu Tianheng's death, has firmly aligned himself with the Upper Three Sects. He will send Yu Luomian, along with heavy gifts, to offer congratulations."
"As for the Star Luo Empire, they too received an invitation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and they have already agreed to send Crown Prince Davis to attend."
Lan Minghua had already expected the attitudes of the Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. What he hadn't anticipated was that even the Star Luo Empire would join in the commotion.
"How amusing, far too amusing. It seems the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is playing a very large game of chess, trying to drag all the powers of the continent into it."
Lan Minghua sneered inwardly.
By inviting every force, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intended to prove to the entire continent that the unity of the Upper Three Sects was genuine.
The Star Luo Empire had little choice. If they failed to show goodwill toward the Upper Three Sects, those sects might fully side with the Heaven Dou Empire.
In that case, the continent would be divided between the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire, leaving the Star Luo Empire too weak to even be considered a true rival.
After all, the Upper Three Sects were prestigious powers in their own right, strong enough to rival the empires themselves.
As for the Spirit Hall's attendance, that too was within reason.
Even the Spirit Hall could not ignore the Upper Three Sects once they united.
And Bibi Dong, that cunning and ruthless woman, had her own scheme. By offering goodwill to the Upper Three Sects, she could shift the pressure onto the Heavenly Dragon Gang.
She was making it clear that if the Upper Three Sects moved against Lan Minghua and his Heavenly Dragon Gang, the Spirit Hall would not intervene.
Spending just one fifty-thousand-year soul bone to eliminate the greatest obstacle to Spirit Hall's conquest of the continent—the Heavenly Dragon Gang—was a bargain beyond belief.
Meanwhile, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could use the banquet to rally all the factions together, jointly striking at the Heavenly Dragon Gang and Lan Minghua.
The thought made Lan Minghua chuckle and shake his head.
"It seems the people of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have indeed learned Ning Fengzhi's brand of scheming."
After all, the most critical part of their plan was ensuring that Lan Minghua would attend.
If he did not, all their calculations would amount to nothing.
But even if Lan Minghua or the Heavenly Dragon Gang refused to attend, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could still exploit that absence.
In their view, if Lan Minghua accepted the invitation and showed up, they could rally the assembled powers to destroy him together.
If he refused, they could paint it as proof that the Heavenly Dragon Gang feared the Upper Three Sects, boosting morale and confidence among their own ranks.
In this way, the Upper Three Sects could finally sweep away the lingering shadow of Lan Minghua slaughtering three of Spirit Hall's Title Douluo.
Thus, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's invitation to the Heavenly Dragon Gang was nothing more than an open conspiracy.
Whether Lan Minghua attended or not, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stood to benefit.
And the benefits were far from small.
The only flaw in their plot was that they had overlooked the most important point—the sheer strength of Lan Minghua and the Heavenly Dragon Gang.
Were the Upper Three Sects strong?
Yes, undeniably strong.
But how many Title Douluo did they actually have? How many among them could truly fight?
Did they intend to rely on the Heaven Dou Empire's army, hoping to win through sheer numbers?
Even setting aside the usefulness of such troops, would they even be able to pass Dugu Bo, who stood firmly on Lan Minghua's side?
Whether or not the Heaven Dou Empire's army could survive him alone was questionable.
That was why Lan Minghua found the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's scheme laughable.
He had already slain a ninety-seventh level Title Douluo, yet they still believed they could deal with him? Where did their confidence come from?
Living by the motto "one would be a fool not to take advantage when given the chance," Lan Minghua took the invitation in hand, a wicked smile curling at his lips.
"Keep watching the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Don't act until I give the order. And make sure word reaches them that I've accepted their invitation—I'll be there, right on time."
"Yes, Master." With a swish, Yingxian vanished from sight.
Lan Minghua lifted his gaze in the direction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his eyes glinting with mockery.
"So, you're finally making your move against me? Unfortunately, it's already too late. At your carefully prepared banquet, I'll present you with the finest gift of all."
At the same time, within Shrek Academy, Tang San also received a letter from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Its contents were brief: he was to attend on time and, before the eyes of all, marry Ning Rongrong with the blessings of the crowd.
The letter also mentioned that many of the continent's most influential figures would be present, including Crown Prince Davis of the Star Luo Empire.
After reading, Tang San murmured to himself, "Crown Prince Davis of the Star Luo Empire? I didn't expect my marriage to Ning Rongrong to even draw him here."
Having lived two lives, he immediately understood the Star Luo Empire's motive.
It was nothing more than a chance to show their face and express goodwill.
For whichever empire the Upper Three Sects sided with, that empire would gain the strength to stand against Spirit Hall.
But in that moment, another thought came to Tang San.
"I've been worrying about how to win Dai Mubai over. Isn't this the perfect chance?"
Excited, Tang San quickly went to find Dai Mubai.
At that time, Dai Mubai was still drowning in the shadow of his defeat at Zhu Zhuqing's hands, sinking further into despair.
Not even Ma Hongjun or Flender could persuade him.
"Damn it! Damn it! Why has Zhu Zhuqing become so strong? Why? How could this happen?!"
Inside his room, Dai Mubai smashed table after solid wood table and chair into splinters with his fists.
At this moment, he looked like nothing more than a beaten dog, stripped of his usual proud demeanor.
Suddenly, Dai Mubai's eyes sharpened. Channeling his spirit power, he spun around and threw a fierce punch.
"Tang San, get out!"
But Tang San stood calmly, not dodging in the slightest.
Just as the fist was about to land on his face, he spoke unhurriedly.
"Dai Mubai, I can make you the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire."
(End of Chapter)