CHAPTER 84: Ambitions and Alliances

Chapter 84: Ambitions and Alliances

Ning Fengzhi made an audacious request—he demanded control over the three main streets of Tiandou City.

This request was no less than asking for a nation within a nation. If granted, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would effectively establish a sovereign enclave within the heart of the Tiandou Empire, operating entirely under its own authority and beyond the jurisdiction of the imperial family.

Such a proposal was a blatant challenge to the absolute power of the Tiandou throne.

If Emperor Xue Ye were still alive, Ning Fengzhi would never have dared to make such a request—not even with the thickest of skins. He would likely have been scolded and dismissed outright.

But now, he dared.

Because Qian Renxue had only recently ascended the throne, and he thought he could take advantage of her inexperience.

As expected, the moment Qian Renxue heard Ning Fengzhi's conditions, she abruptly slammed the table and rose to her feet.

"Master Ning, you certainly have a large appetite."

"Is Her Majesty unwilling?" Ning Fengzhi replied calmly, as if he had foreseen this reaction all along.

"What do you think?" Qian Renxue retorted coldly, locking eyes with him.

In this moment, whatever friendship had existed between teacher and student was torn to pieces, replaced by a chilling sense of confrontation.

"I believe Her Majesty should consider it," Ning Fengzhi said, his gaze icy, his words laced with veiled threat.

Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed. "Master Ning, are you threatening me again?"

"Of course not," Ning Fengzhi said smoothly. "My sect merely wishes to share Her Majesty's burden and assist with governance."

"After all, although His Majesty Qin Chuan has struck a decisive blow against the Xingluo Empire, they still exist in name. Several cities remain defiant and have yet to surrender."

"With Her Majesty's forces tied up in military operations, perhaps the empire does not have the capacity to focus on rebuilding Tiandou City."

"Our sect simply wishes to take on that responsibility—for Her Majesty's sake."

Though Ning Fengzhi's tone remained refined, the underlying threat was unmistakable.

Qian Renxue's expression grew even darker.

She glared at him. "Very well, Master Ning."

"Why don't you return for now? I shall discuss this matter with His Majesty."

Sensing Qian Renxue's rising fury, Qin Chuan quickly interjected.

"Your Majesty Qin Chuan?" Ning Fengzhi turned to him, clearly surprised. He hadn't expected Qin Chuan to step in so suddenly.

"Yes," Qin Chuan said calmly. "Master Ning, please leave for now."

Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin exchanged glances. They could clearly sense Qin Chuan's displeasure.

But considering Qin Chuan's strength and recent feats, Ning Fengzhi wisely refrained from pushing further. He even stopped Chen Xin from voicing his frustration.

"Very well. We shall wait for your response, Your Majesty Qin Chuan."

With a warm smile that masked his annoyance, Ning Fengzhi turned and left the imperial study with Chen Xin.

Bang!

Qian Renxue, consumed by rage, hurled the imperial documents from her desk.

Just then, a young eunuch cautiously peeked into the study, only to quickly retract his head in alarm.

"What is it?" Qian Renxue snapped, her voice full of suppressed fury.

"R-Report to Her Majesty," the eunuch stammered, "The patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex clan, Yu Yuanzhen, requests an audience along with his family."

Qian Renxue and Qin Chuan immediately exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up.

They had been waiting for this moment.

"Let them in," Qian Renxue said without hesitation, her attitude a stark contrast to her earlier exchange with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Soon, Yu Yuanzhen strode into the imperial study, accompanied by a man and a woman.

Three in total—two men and one woman.

Yu Yuanzhen was tall, muscular, and radiated strength and authority. The other man bore a similar appearance—Yu Luomian, Liu Erlong's father and second in command of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family. The woman beside them, naturally, was Liu Erlong.

Although she had recovered somewhat after more than a month, Liu Erlong still appeared thinner and colder than before.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the three said in unison.

Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian remained reserved, but Liu Erlong's eyes carried a touch of emotion.

"Welcome, Patriarch Yu Yuanzhen. I've been waiting for you," Qian Renxue said with a smile.

Yu Yuanzhen, however, turned to look at Qin Chuan. "May I ask who this is?"

"I am Qin Chuan," came the calm reply.

"His Majesty Qin Chuan, the one who single-handedly broke through the Xingluo Empire?" Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow.

"If there isn't a second Qin Chuan, then yes, that would be me," Qin Chuan replied with a faint smile.

"Uncle, he is indeed His Majesty Qin Chuan," Liu Erlong whispered softly.

Yu Yuanzhen was silent for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, he gave a long sigh and bowed deeply to Qin Chuan.

"I've heard about my useless son from Erlong."

Qin Chuan blinked, momentarily caught off guard. So this was about Yu Xiaogang?

"No matter what happened, the fact that you saw to his burial… our clan owes you a debt of gratitude," Yu Yuanzhen said sincerely.

"You're too kind, Patriarch Yu," Qin Chuan replied, genuinely surprised that such a small gesture would garner such respect.

Yu Luomian suddenly spoke, his tone serious.

"Your Majesty, regarding what you had Erlong tell us earlier—do you truly plan to go to war with the Spirit Hall?"

The air in the imperial study instantly turned heavy.

The Spirit Hall.

Though not an empire, its influence across the continent rivaled and perhaps even exceeded that of any nation.

It was a power that had long terrified both the Tiandou and Xingluo Empires.

Qian Renxue fell silent, her eyes unreadable.

Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Luomian, and Liu Erlong stared intently, awaiting an answer.

"The Spirit Hall will not allow a unified empire to exist," Qian Renxue said at last.

Though her words were indirect, the meaning was clear: war was inevitable.

The Spirit Hall's long-standing interference in the balance of power had always aimed to keep the two great empires in check. A unified realm would threaten everything they had worked for.

Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian nodded solemnly.

"Your Majesty, you already know why our Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex clan has come to Tiandou City. We await your command," Yu Yuanzhen said.

Their words were a declaration of loyalty.

The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family, though weaker than the other two great sects, was direct and reliable—unlike the politically slippery Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

And right now, Qin Chuan and Qian Renxue needed exactly that.

"To be honest, Patriarch Yu, there is something I'd like to ask of your clan," Qian Renxue said, her tone suddenly turning cold.

Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow. "Please speak, Your Majesty."

Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened.

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—"

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