Chapter 168: Xu Yang’s Confidence

"All right, let's discuss our next steps. I believe everyone has now witnessed just how ruthless Qian Renxue can be, so our original plan is

"All right, let's discuss our next steps. I believe everyone has now witnessed just how ruthless Qian Renxue can be, so our original plan is officially scrapped."

Seeing that no one spoke, Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly and was the first to break the silence.

"Teacher, now that the Heaven Dou royal line has been completely wiped out, our first priority should be to take control of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and the military. Only then can we truly put Qian Renxue in a tight spot. Otherwise, no matter what we do, all we'll accomplish is temporary chaos."

Xu Yang spoke up immediately, voicing his opinion.

"I agree with Yang'er's assessment," Chen Xin chimed in. "The reason Qian Renxue eliminated Marshal Ge Long and the top generals so decisively was precisely to cut through the chaos and swiftly seize control of Heaven Dou's military. But their deaths will surely cause unrest and resistance within the ranks. It's impossible for her to take complete control in such a short time."

"That's our opening. She can't possibly purge every officer in the army. If we can reach out to the dissatisfied factions, we might just be able to take command before Spirit Hall tightens their grip."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After all, in any nation, the military is the foundation of power. Without an army, even the wealthiest country is nothing more than a paper tiger. If Spirit Hall couldn't secure the military, then they still had a shot at overturning Qian Renxue's rule and reclaiming the Heaven Dou Empire.

"I agree as well," Gu Rong added.

"So do I."

"Same here."

One by one, the elders and core leaders voiced their support. They understood that this was their best—and possibly only—option.

"Then, who will be in charge of securing the Imperial Academy and the army?" asked Madam Ning.

"I'll handle the Imperial Academy. I think it's about time I met with Qian Renxue face to face."

Xu Yang rose from his seat and took the task upon himself without hesitation.

"That works. As for the army, Uncle Sword and I will take care of it."

Seeing his disciple so eager, Ning Fengzhi also stood up. He knew he was the right person for the job. As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, his status alone would show the remaining generals that they were being treated with importance.

Moreover, after years of operating in Heaven Dou, he had built relationships with many high-ranking officers. It was very likely that some of the surviving generals were among his acquaintances, which would make winning them over significantly easier.

With the plan in motion, the meeting adjourned for now.

Once outside the meeting hall, Xu Yang turned into a streak of golden-red light and shot toward Heaven Dou City. Time was of the essence if he wanted to secure the academy.

Given his current cultivation, it took him less than ten minutes to arrive.

But the capital had changed.

The streets that were once bustling with life now lay desolate. Patrol guards were nowhere to be seen, and debris cluttered the roads. The whole city felt cold and lifeless.

Xu Yang glanced around, sighed softly, then flew straight toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

At the moment, the three Deans of the academy had already sent most students home, urging them to stay indoors for safety. The ones who remained were the children of nobles who had been slaughtered by Qian Renxue's purge—orphans with nowhere else to go. For their protection, they had been allowed to stay.

In the academy plaza, Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, Zhi Lin, and several teachers were standing protectively in front of nearly fifty students. Across from them stood Qian Renxue, still wearing Xue Qinghe's face and a royal crown. Beside her was Golden Crocodile Douluo, and flanking them were Porcupinefish Douluo and She Long.

"Well, have the three of you made up your minds?" Qian Renxue smiled gently. "Will you join the new Heaven Dou Empire?"

"You're not Xue Qinghe," Meng Shenji replied calmly, though his eyes betrayed the pain within. "You're the inheritor of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul—Qian Renxue. But what I want to know is… when did you replace him? How did none of us notice all these years?"

"A long time ago," Qian Renxue said with a soft chuckle. "Back when both of us were still just children."

"No wonder no one ever saw through it…"

The three Deans let out bitter laughs. They had essentially watched 'Xue Qinghe' grow up, only to now realize that person had never been real.

"So then, have you made your decision?" Qian Renxue asked again. "Agree to join us, and the students behind you will be spared."

Their expressions grew even more strained. Though they despised Spirit Hall's methods, they had no choice. Standing before them were three Title Douluo—they couldn't possibly protect the children with just the three of them.

"We…"

"Junior brother—should I call you Xue Qinghe or Qian Renxue?"

Before they could answer, a voice rang out from the sky. It was magnetic, tinged with playful sarcasm. Everyone looked up.

There, floating in midair, stood a radiant young man—handsome, confident, and beaming with a sunny smile.

"Senior brother, call me whatever you like," Qian Renxue replied cheerfully. "You've known my identity for a while now, haven't you?"

"We're finished… Xu Yang is from Spirit Hall too!"

Meng Shenji and the others turned pale.

That possibility had never occurred to them. If Xu Yang—Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's most outstanding graduate, the future ruler of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—was part of Spirit Hall, then their influence would soar beyond imagination.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Xu Yang said, waving a hand casually as he descended. "You and I were never that close, Qian Renxue. Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Spirit Hall are mortal enemies—you know that."

"Whew…"

The three Deans breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Xu Yang, what about Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo? Are they here?"

Meng Shenji looked at him with hope. They all knew that only Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin had the power to turn the tide.

"Unfortunately, they're handling another matter right now," Xu Yang said with a relaxed smile. "But don't worry. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy today. Qian Renxue won't be hurting anyone."

His voice was full of confidence and dominance, so much so that even Qian Renxue and Golden Crocodile Douluo frowned at his tone.

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