Chapter 160 – Qian Renxue’s Frustration

"Teacher, what are you thinking?! Do you really believe someone like me is fit to be emperor?!"

Xu Yang wasn't the only one stunned. Everyone in the room stared blankly at Ning Fengzhi, waiting for his explanation.

Ning Fengzhi gave a wry smile and said:

"Let's just say... we've run out of better options. We absolutely must stop Spirit Hall from seizing control of the Heaven Dou Empire.

But if we kill Qian Renxue and drive Spirit Hall out, then what? Do we just stand by and watch the Empire fall into chaos—only to be swallowed up by the Star Luo Empire or Spirit Hall later?

That's clearly unacceptable. And I'm not handing power to Xue Beng either, only to benefit someone else.

So the best path... is to take the throne ourselves. We stage a coup, and we control the Heaven Dou Empire."

Madam Ning frowned and reminded him:

"But that would make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan a target. The other sects and soul master forces would never sit back and watch us take over a nation.

Don't forget the precedent: ten thousand years ago, the Angelic God Sect had the power to unify the continent, but pressure from the other sects forced them to back down. That's how they ended up creating Spirit Hall—to act as a neutral force aiding the empires."

The warning was clear. Spirit Hall had once been stopped from founding their own empire by the combined resistance of all major powers. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was far weaker in comparison. If they dared dream of conquest, they wouldn't just face opposition from Spirit Hall—but from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the hidden Clear Sky Sect, and others. All would band together and divide the Sect's assets.

Ning Fengzhi said coldly:

"That's exactly why I want Yang'er to be emperor, and not me.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will remain one of the Upper Three Sects. We won't interfere in imperial matters directly.

That way, even if others grumble, they won't have a clear reason to target us.

And as long as they don't attack us openly, with two Ultimate Douluo, no one on the continent can truly challenge us or strip us of our holdings."

He was confident. After all, what faction on the continent currently had two fighters with Ultimate Douluo-level combat strength? No one. If played right, they could even force Spirit Hall to suffer a serious blow this time.

Xu Yang: "..."

He was completely dumbfounded. So in the end, he was just a tool?

Hell no.

No way. He didn't want to be emperor!

"Uh… Teacher, can I not be emperor?

Why not just put Xue Beng on the throne, and we rule from behind the scenes? Like, y'know—'wielding power in the name of the Emperor.' Isn't that better?!"

Xu Yang was desperate. He didn't care if Ning Fengzhi understood the phrase "wielding power in the name of the Emperor" from ancient China—he just hoped it would change his mind.

Ning Fengzhi mused aloud:

"Wielding power in the name of the Emperor… hmm. That is a valid strategy."

Though unfamiliar with the origin of the saying, he grasped the meaning. On paper, it seemed like a safer route—it would give them control while drawing less attention. It could even earn the support of the Heaven Dou nobility.

But he quickly rejected the idea.

"It won't work. That method relies on us already having control over the military and at least half the nobility and court ministers.

We don't. So forget it. Just get ready."

He looked at the dismayed Xu Yang and smiled knowingly:

"I know what you're thinking. You hate trouble, and you want to live a free life—pursue the peak of soul mastery, not be tied down by politics.

But right now, you're the only suitable choice. And being emperor won't stop you from cultivating—in fact, it may offer new insights and help you improve your mental state.

Besides, being emperor means you'll gain access to things you couldn't before… and do things you've always wanted to do…"

Ning Fengzhi began listing the benefits of being emperor, clearly trying to sell the idea.

Xu Yang couldn't help but start considering it. Yeah, sure, he'd be a tool—but the benefits were significant. With the Empire under his control, gathering faith energy would be far easier, and that meant a real shot at creating his own godhood.

And he was certain Ning Fengzhi would help him once they succeeded. He could even import systems and governance methods from his past life, making the job much easier.

"Alright… I accept."

"Good. Then let's get to work. I'll start planning the coup. We'll take the Heaven Dou Empire in one strike."

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, Qian Renxue stared at a pile of memorials on her desk, her head throbbing and her heart exhausted.

She realized that her years as Crown Prince had been a complete failure.

After more than a decade in the role, she hadn't built a proper faction of her own. Just a few stray officials and minor nobles. That's all.

Marshal Ge Long remained loyal to the Empire, not to her personally. If he thought a policy was good, he would enforce it swiftly. If not, he'd reject it outright—without hesitation.

If that had been the worst of it, fine. But the imperial dukes made her feel nothing but disgust and rage. They openly defied her orders with veiled compliance, and the court ministers obeyed only them, leaving many of her policies unenforceable.

At one point, she wanted to have Shi Tun and She Mao assassinate those dukes. But she had just ascended the throne—her hold on power was weak, and she couldn't afford a purge.

More importantly, she was now sure that Ning Fengzhi had uncovered her identity. Ever since Emperor Xue Ye's assassination, he hadn't stepped foot in Heaven Dou City. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would never allow Spirit Hall to dominate an empire—and she had to prepare for their attack.

"Your Majesty. There are rumors spreading in Heaven Dou City, claiming that the current Emperor, Xue Qinghe, is actually Qian Renxue of Spirit Hall in disguise.

We've already detained several of those spreading the rumors, but whispers are still circulating in secret."

"They've likely reached the ears of the dukes and Prince Xue Xing by now."

Just as Qian Renxue was growing more frustrated, She Mao stepped from the shadows with a grim report.

"So, Xu Yang's returned. And Ning Fengzhi has figured out my identity.

And the first blow has already landed."

Qian Renxue's expression turned dark. She didn't need to guess whose handiwork this was.

At the same time, she felt very strange in her heart

"We've experienced soul resonance so many times…

Why is it only now that Ning Fengzhi discovered who I really am?"

What she didn't know was that the answer was ridiculously simple—

Xu Yang just forgot.

Due to subconscious habits from his past life, he had dismissed the signs without thinking—and only recently remembered.