Chapter 292: The Wedding Prelude, All Powers Gather

Chapter 292: The Wedding Prelude, All Powers Gather

After persuading the stubborn Huo Wu, Xiao Yu returned to the Nine Star Palace and immediately sought out Ye Lingling.

Thanks to his previous hints, the clever Ye Lingling had already pieced things together. She didn't even wait for Xiao Yu to finish explaining the pros and cons before nodding in agreement.

Looking at this quiet and understanding girl, Xiao Yu felt all the more tender toward her. Among the three girls, Ye Lingling was actually the one he owed the most.

...

After receiving Xiao Yu's definitive answer, Qian Renxue also began to move forward with the next phase of the plan.

Xiao Yu infiltrated the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, temporarily assuming the identity of Xue Qinghe, while Qian Renxue slipped out of the palace to pose as Xiao Yu's younger sister at the Nine Star Palace.

On the Heaven Dou Empire's side, Emperor Xue Ye, eager to secure full support from the Nine Star Palace, was more excited about the wedding than the people involved. After meeting the imposter "princess" of the Nine Star Palace, he immediately finalized the wedding date.

Wedding invitations issued by the Heaven Dou royal family were soon dispatched to various kingdoms and duchies, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Clear Sky Clan, the Star Luo Empire, and even factions like Spirit Hall, who had already turned hostile behind the scenes.

Xue Qinghe held great prestige among the common people. When word spread that the crown prince was getting married, the citizens of Heaven Dou City spontaneously decorated the streets and celebrated the event joyfully—the entire city bathed in a sea of festivity.

Of course, not everyone was on board—people like Ning Fengzhi, Prince Xue Xing, and Prince Xue Beng voiced their objections. But their opposition couldn't stop the wedding from proceeding.

At Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned upon receiving the wedding invitation. Her own daughter was getting married to a woman? Since when did her daughter have that kind of ability?

But she quickly came to her senses. As the Pope who had brought Spirit Hall to its peak, Bibi Dong realized this was most likely a political marriage orchestrated by her daughter and son-in-law-to-be, a performance to draw Heaven Dou and the Nine Star Palace closer.

"Well, since it's my daughter's wedding, as her mother, I naturally must prepare a fine gift."

Bibi Dong stared coldly in the direction of Heaven Dou City and murmured to herself.

The Star Luo Empire and the Clear Sky Clan received invitations around the same time. Initially, the Heaven Dou Empire wasn't planning to send one to Sea God Island, since they knew very little about the place.

Given that Sea God Island, the Star Luo Empire, and the Clear Sky Clan were allied, they figured if two had invitations, the third would just tag along.

But when Emperor Xue Ye learned from Xiao Yu that Sea God Island had a Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo, his face changed dramatically. In a panic, he quickly sent a last-minute invitation—even though it would arrive days later than the others.

"It seems Heaven Dou Empire is planning to ally with the Nine Star Palace, just like we formed our alliance to oppose Spirit Hall."

Tang San was the first to share his thoughts on the wedding.

"Little San is right. Ever since Spirit Hall launched surprise attacks against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Nine Star Palace, Emperor Xue Ye has been living in constant anxiety. Palace security has only grown tighter."

Tang Yuehua said calmly. Since the Clear Sky Clan had come out of hiding, she had moved Moon Pavilion to Star Luo City. But with over two decades of connections built up in Heaven Dou, Moon Pavilion had developed a vast and intricate information network—she still received news from the imperial palace faster than most.

"Yuehua, Little San, should we even attend this wedding?"

Tang Xiao glanced at Dai Mubai, who had come in the Star Luo Emperor's name to discuss the matter, and said, "The Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires are ancient enemies, and the Nine Star Palace still owes Hao a blood debt. I don't think we need to give them the honor of our presence."

"That won't do, Uncle!"

Tang San immediately rejected the idea. "The Heaven Dou Empire issued the invitation through official diplomatic channels. The entire world knows about it now. If we don't go, it'll look like we're afraid of the Nine Star Palace!"

Dai Mubai gave Tang Xiao a calm smile and added, "Rest assured, Sect Master Tang. Since Heaven Dou issued a formal invitation, they wouldn't dare do anything to us within their borders. The imperial family still cares about saving face."

Tang San continued, "Besides, this trip to Heaven Dou City is a great opportunity to expand our strength. Titan, the leader of the Strength Clan, always treated my father as his master. He was very kind to me during my time in Heaven Dou. I'm sure with a little persuasion, he'll be happy to join us. And then there's my teacher and Vice Dean Liu Erlong—both are among the few survivors of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. With Spirit Hall as a common enemy and my teacher-student bond with them, persuading them will be easy. Also, there's the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan..."

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!"

At those words, Tang Xiao immediately shook his head. "Little San, the others are one thing, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? Back when your grandfather—my father—was sect master, they had already fully sided with the Heaven Dou Empire. Why would they ever change allegiance now?"

"Big Brother, times have changed!"

Tang Yuehua smiled gracefully and said, "Back then, the Heaven Dou Empire had no Title Douluo of their own, so the royal family naturally relied heavily on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Ning Fengzhi held an exalted position in the empire, so of course he wouldn't even consider the Star Luo Empire.

But now, things are different. With the Nine Star Palace joining the picture, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan no longer holds the same strategic value in the Heaven Dou Empire. And Xue Qinghe is widely praised among the common people—barring any surprises, he'll definitely succeed the throne after Emperor Xue Ye passes.

As Xue Qinghe's crown princess and backed by the colossal Nine Star Palace, Xiao Yu's 'sister' is the unquestionable choice for empress. When that time comes, the Nine Star Palace's status in the Heaven Dou Empire will only rise further, while the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will find themselves in an increasingly awkward position.

Ning Fengzhi is a clever man. He should be able to see where things are headed, which makes now the perfect time for us to draw the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to our side."

"That does make sense."

Tang Xiao nodded in agreement with Tang Yuehua's analysis. Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan had always enjoyed friendly relations. Even if they failed to win them over, it wouldn't come to open hostility—so why not give it a try?

"Yuehua, you've spent years in Heaven Dou City and have always had good relations with the royal family. You'll take Little San and the Third Prince to represent us on this visit."

Tang Yuehua accepted the arrangement without objection.

Tang San and Dai Mubai, for their part, were eager to set out for Heaven Dou City as soon as possible. It had been over four years since they last saw their old friends from Shrek.

Meanwhile, Sea God Island had already sent multiple reminders urging Tang San to begin his Sea God trials.

So for this trip to Heaven Dou, Tang San planned to bring Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun along to Sea God Island for training.

And then there was Xiao Wu. Back then, Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang, afraid Tang San would act rashly, had kept her whereabouts hidden from him. This time, Tang San was determined to force the truth out of Yu Xiaogang and bring her along as well.

Ideally, he'd even find Zhu Zhuqing—who had left out of disappointment in Dai Mubai—and bring her back too. Then the seven Shrek monsters could set off for Sea God Island together.

(End of Chapter)

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