Chapter 226: Ning Fengzhi's Path to Self-Destruction

Originally intending to recruit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan today, Ye Hao never expected Ning Fengzhi would ally with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Clear Sky Clan.

Given how things had developed, there was no longer any need to court the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Even if recruitment succeeded, Ning Fengzhi might secretly conspire with the other two clans.

After all, Ning Fengzhi was a man who prioritized interests. Who knew if he might stab Ye Hao in the back someday?

Rather than risk it, Ye Hao preferred to cut the Gordian knot. He had no patience for fence-sitters—they only brought endless trouble.

"Ning Fengzhi, let me make this clear—everything you possess now was granted by the Spirit Hall."

With that, Ye Hao turned and left without looking back, the Death God's Heart in hand. His Six-Winged Purple Light Wings unfurled as he soared into the sky, soon vanishing as a streak of purple light on the horizon.

"Grandpa Bone!" Ning Rongrong watched Ye Hao's departing figure with tearful, resentful eyes.

"Father! What do we do now? Sword Grandpa's life isn't in danger, but his martial soul was destroyed by Ye Hao. Now Grandpa Bone has been captured too. Will our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan really be annihilated by the Spirit Hall?" she sobbed.

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi was at a complete loss, weighed down by despair as if struck by lightning.

With the Sword Douluo crippled and Bone Douluo captured, even a random Title Douluo or Soul Douluo could now overrun the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan without resistance.

Even the lower four clans could likely crush them effortlessly.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with its two Title Douluos was fundamentally different from the clan without them.

A support-type sect without these two powerhouses had no right to remain among the three great clans.

After a long silence, Ning Fengzhi sighed deeply, overwhelmed by helplessness.

The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda was gone, the Sword Douluo crippled, the Bone Douluo captured.

The once-glorious Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had been reduced to this state, making Ning Fengzhi feel decades older.

"It's my fault. All my fault," he muttered self-recriminatingly.

"Perhaps... the Spirit Hall truly would have been the better choice. At least it could have saved our two thousand disciples. Had I known earlier, Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda wouldn't have disappeared, Uncle Sword wouldn't have been crippled, and Uncle Bone wouldn't have been captured."

"Was I really clinging to my status as Ye Hao said? No—aligning with the Heaven Dou Empire absolutely benefits the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's development."

"Now that things have come to this, surrendering to the Spirit Hall would make us the laughingstock of the continent. Better to stay the course. No matter how powerful the Spirit Hall is, can it truly overpower the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"Moreover, as Qinghe's teacher and the Imperial Mentor, my status is second only to the emperor. If we ally with the Star Luo Empire and the three great clans, even the Spirit Hall couldn't oppose the entire continent."

Ning Fengzhi kept these thoughts private, not daring to voice them aloud.

The die was cast—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had irrevocably opposed the Spirit Hall, making war inevitable.

"But what did Ye Hao mean by saying everything I have was given by the Spirit Hall?"

After some thought, Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "How could that be?"

---

Meanwhile, Ye Hao returned to his hotel in Heaven Dou City after leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Securing the doors and windows, he collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained.

"That Sword Douluo was formidable. Without the Shura Demon Sword, I'd have been no match for him. And that 'Shura's Judgment'—damn thing drained all my soul power at once."

"Good thing I captured the Bone Douluo first, or I might not have made it back. Can't use that move recklessly—must assess the situation carefully next time," Ye Hao mused aloud in bed.

"Return to Spirit Hall tomorrow. After today's provocation, Ning Fengzhi isn't stupid—he'll definitely take action."

Rubbing his chin, Ye Hao formulated a plan.

"Destroying the three great clans is a long-term strategy—can't rush it. Haste makes waste."

"Enough overthinking. First, deliver the Bone Douluo to Spirit Hall, then plan our next moves."

With that, Ye Hao pulled up the blankets and fell asleep within seconds, exhausted from battling two Title Douluos.

---

At dawn the next day, before sunrise, a carriage raced from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan toward Heaven Dou City at breakneck speed.

The short distance between clan and capital was covered swiftly.

Meanwhile, Ye Hao stretched in his hotel room after a full day's sleep. With most soul power restored and energy replenished, he prepared to fly to Spirit Hall today.

Rising to open the curtains, he stretched luxuriously in the sunlight, shaking off sleepiness.

"Time to go home and hug my daughter!" Ye Hao grinned eagerly, missing his little girl dearly.

Just then, a speeding carriage passed below his window.

"That's... a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan carriage." Ye Hao's eyes narrowed at the distinctive glazed pagoda emblem.

The extravagant vehicle—with its jade-carved roof, gold-inlaid body gleaming in sunlight, and prized spirit beast-blooded horses—could only belong to the clan.

"Why would Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan come to Heaven Dou City?"

Tracking its path, Ye Hao realized its destination:

"The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace!"

Rubbing his chin, comprehension dawned.

"The Heaven Dou Empire is already under our control—though that's not public yet. When my wife ascended the throne, appointing Ning Fengzhi as Imperial Mentor was strategic to recruit him, waiting for the right moment to reveal everything naturally."

"But for Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to visit the palace now... they must have ulterior motives. Time to investigate."

Vanishing with a flicker, Ye Hao activated the Death God's Heart's concealment and headed toward the imperial palace with practiced ease.

At the palace gates, the clan's carriage halted.

"Ning Fengzhi! Just as I suspected."

"As Imperial Mentor, that old fox would never imagine the Heaven Dou Empire is already under our control. No doubt he's here to conspire with Xue Qinghe, likely formulating countermeasures."

Unseen, Ye Hao observed Ning Fengzhi alight from the carriage, certain the schemer was plotting something.

The guards, recognizing the Imperial Mentor, immediately opened the gates and sent word of his arrival.

Ye Hao slipped in behind Ning Fengzhi unnoticed.

---

In the radiant throne room, Xue Qinghe sat regally in imperial robes, every inch the Heaven Dou Emperor exuding noble authority.

"Teacher... what brings you here?" Rising to greet Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe instantly sensed something amiss.

His shrewd mentor wouldn't visit unexpectedly without reason.

"Qinghe... the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is... ruined."

Ning Fengzhi's aged face crumpled as tears fell.

"Yesterday, our spies reported the young master crippling the Sword Douluo, capturing the Bone Douluo, and humiliating the three great clans. Ning Fengzhi's sudden visit must relate to this. Admirable acting, old fox," Xue Qinghe thought wryly.

"Teacher, what exactly happened? How could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan be destroyed so suddenly?" Xue Qinghe pressed urgently.

After Ning Fengzhi finished recounting yesterday's events, he seemed utterly defeated, sighing repeatedly. The once-confident clan leader was gone—without the Sword and Bone Douluos, he'd lost his right and left arms.

Now, standing alone like a flickering candle in the storm, he could be extinguished at any moment.

Humph! Xue Qinghe slammed the armrest of his throne, feigning outrage.

"The Spirit Hall dares to treat even the Imperial Mentor's clan this way?" he pretended to fume.

Then, comforting Ning Fengzhi: "Teacher, don't worry. Even without them, you still have me."

"Qinghe, I was waiting for you to say that." Ning Fengzhi brightened immediately.

"..." Xue Qinghe was speechless.

"Teacher, have you come today with a strategy against the Spirit Hall?"

"Exactly!" Ning Fengzhi's expression turned solemn.

"Yesterday, I reached an agreement with the Clear Sky Clan and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—the three great clans will stand together through thick and thin. Qinghe, you understand—once we fall, the Spirit Hall's next target will undoubtedly be the Heaven Dou Empire."

Now Xue Qinghe grasped Ning Fengzhi's purpose: to ally with the empire as their strongest shield.

"Teacher, you know the Heaven Dou Empire alone would struggle to resist."

The Spirit Hall was simply too powerful. Xue Qinghe shook his head slowly—this was both truth and fact.

Ning Fengzhi pressed on: "I know the Spirit Hall's might far surpasses ours. That's why I hope you'll consider this carefully—for the empire's future and your throne's security."

"Right now, the Spirit Hall is undeniably the greatest obstacle. They've absorbed seventy percent of the continent's unattached soul masters. If this continues... soon people will know only the Spirit Hall, not Qinghe!"

These words made Xue Qinghe frown deeply. As Qian Daoliu's trusted subordinate, Ning Fengzhi's speech ignited murderous intent—but for the plan's sake, he restrained himself.

"I... understand. What method does Teacher propose? I'm all ears."

Ning Fengzhi unfurled a map across the floor.

"The Star Luo Empire?" Xue Qinghe feigned surprise.

"Precisely." Ning Fengzhi's eyes burned with hope—and deep-seated hatred.

"An alliance between us, the three great clans, and the Star Luo Empire. Even the Spirit Hall would hesitate before such combined might."

This strategy would pit the entire continent against the Spirit Hall—a true killing move.

Xue Qinghe's concealed killing intent flashed before being suppressed again.

Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Teacher, how can you be sure Star Luo would ally with us? Our empires have feuded for generations—this isn't resolved overnight."

"Interests. We share common interests now." Ning Fengzhi spoke resolutely. "The Spirit Hall's threat affects Star Luo as much as us. There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. They'll agree."

Their discussion continued at length before Ning Fengzhi finally took his leave.

Once he'd gone, murderous aura erupted from Xue Qinghe's eyes.

"Ning Fengzhi... allying with Star Luo and the three great clans would mobilize the entire continent against us."

Rubbing his chin, he analyzed: "This is critical—I must report to the High Priest immediately."

Ahem.

Ye Hao materialized silently from the shadows.

"Greetings, Young Master." Xue Qinghe knelt respectfully, startled by his sudden appearance.

"Rise." Ye Hao's voice was calm.

"I heard everything."

Xue Qinghe stood slowly. "Young Master, Ning Fengzhi has truly lost his mind. How should we respond?"

Ye Hao smiled faintly. "The three great clans are insignificant. Since he wants to use the Heaven Dou Empire's strength..."

"Let's play along."

"Order the Heaven Dou Imperial Knights to garrison the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Deploy two thousand soul masters to both. When the time comes... we'll strike from within and without."

"Understood."

"And... the Clear Sky Clan?" Xue Qinghe ventured.

"They've sealed their mountain—everyone knows this. Besides, with six Title Douluos, our current forces couldn't threaten them. It'd be a pointless sacrifice."

Ye Hao added: "Also, postpone contacting Star Luo. The three great clans remain our primary targets—they must be eliminated swiftly."

"As you command."

Xue Qinghe departed to arrange matters.

"Ning Fengzhi, borrowing the empire's strength to oppose us will only hasten your clan's downfall."

Seated on the throne, Ye Hao stroked its golden armrests, smiling.

"Everything you have was ours to give. Now... it's time to take it back."