Chapter 129 - The Palace Coup Comes Early

Slaughter City

Once, after the Clear Sky Sect learned that their ancestor Tang Chen was trapped here, they sent many disciples. Most of them died, but a few with exceptional martial arts survived.

However, when they searched around Slaughter City with a portrait of their ancestor, they couldn't find him, and no one recognized him.

In their moment of despair, a soul master who had crossed dozens of Hell Slaughter Fields told them that if they were looking for an unmatched powerhouse, they would only find him on the Path of Hell.

Whether they wanted to find their ancestor or leave Slaughter City, they had no choice but to walk the Path of Hell.

The Clear Sky Sect disciples looked at one another and stepped toward the arena of the Hell Slaughter Field, beginning a long and dangerous trial. A single misstep could destroy them completely.

Outside in the world, the Clear Sky Sect was faring far better, thanks to Bo Saixi. The siege by Spirit Hall had been eased, and other sects began to interact with them again.

Most importantly, aside from Bibi Dong, no one in Spirit Hall took the Clear Sky Sect seriously anymore.

In the Elder Hall, Qian Daoliu summoned all the priests. The trip to the Beast City had cost Spirit Hall a few Title Douluos, but it also revealed the hidden strength of the continent's main sects—especially the Star Crown Sect.

The two 100,000-year-old blood-red soul rings on the masked man shocked them deeply. With such talent, he was only a level 95 Title Douluo. He must have been too old, but he might become Spirit Hall's greatest concern in the future.

Seven priests gathered, and the strength of the Star Crown Sect was exposed. At least two level 97 Super Douluos, plus Dugu Bo and many disciples. If Qian Daoliu didn't act himself, the other priests might have to use their full strength to defeat them.

"Grand Priest, we can't tolerate the Star Crown Sect anymore. If we wait any longer, they may become the next Clear Sky Sect and lead others against us."

"Yes, that masked man could very well be the next Tang Chen."

"Enough!"

When Qian Daoliu heard the name Tang Chen, his face darkened, and he immediately berated Jiangmo Dou. He probably hated that name more than anything now.

He knew the priests were weighing every possibility. It was time to break their old promise to the Star Crown Sect—but how to do so was the question.

They had no justification to act high-handedly, and neither the two empires nor the other sects and family powers would just stand by. Not to mention, Bo Saixi seemed inclined to interfere in the continent's conflicts.

"Grand Priest, we await your decision."

"That's right—if it comes to war, we will fight. We fear no one."

Seeing Qianjun and Jiangmo eager for war, Qian Daoliu shook his head slowly. There were too many variables in starting a war now.

And they had a more reliable method. As long as Xiaoxue could become a god, it wouldn't matter even if the masked man from Star Crown Sect became an unmatched Douluo.

He ordered an economic and resource blockade against the Star Crown Sect and shifted focus to his granddaughter, Qian Renxue.

"Golden Crocodile, how is Xiaoxue's cultivation?"

"She reached Soul Emperor level a few months ago."

"Why so slow?"

Qian Daoliu's face showed displeasure. He muttered that he shouldn't have let Xiaoxue disguise herself and handle government affairs—it hindered her cultivation.

A divine-level martial soul, innate soul power of level twenty, and now at twenty-three years old, she had only just reached Soul Emperor. That progress was too slow for Xiaoxue.

The priests looked at each other, speechless. They knew such progress would be considered unmatched genius for ordinary people, but it was still lacking for Qian Renxue.

"Xiaoxue might really be delayed by too many things, she…"

Guang Ling tried to speak kindly of his beloved Xiaoxue but was interrupted by Qian Daoliu. They had spoiled Xiaoxue too much—everything had been up to her.

That may have worked before. Spirit Hall used to be the absolute ruler of the Douluo Continent. Nothing she did mattered—not even slow cultivation.

But now, that was no longer possible. Sea God Island had emerged, the Star Crown Sect had risen, Clear Sky and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sects eyed them hungrily, and Spirit Hall could no longer silence every opposing voice.

"Tell Xiaoxue to either abandon the mission or speed up her progress. Xue Ye has lived long enough."

Guang Ling wanted to protest, but Qingluan beside him stopped him. He knew no one could change the chief priest's decision—it was better not to get too involved in this matter between grandparents.

"Yes."

The Elder Hall's order was soon passed to Porcupine Dolphin Douluo, who delivered the letter to Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe and managing government affairs.

Seeing her grandfather's seal, she thought it was a letter of concern or congratulations. She opened it casually—then froze in place. The letter slipped from her hand, floating slowly to the floor.

There was no turning back now. If she had taken on this mission because of that woman, then she had been lurking for over ten years. It had become an obsession. She would never give up so easily.

Qian Renxue put down the government papers, stood up, and looked toward the palace—the imperial chambers of Emperor Xue Ye.

She wanted to take over the entire Heaven Dou Empire step by step. The poison she had asked Porcupine Douluo to administer to Emperor Xue Ye was chronic. As it accumulated in his body, the usual symptoms were weakness and susceptibility to illness. But with the right trigger, he would quickly collapse—even though he was a strong Soul Douluo.

"Uncle Porcupine, we must accelerate the plan with Xue Ye. Uncle Snake Lance, you should leave my side for now.

Once Xue Ye falls, Ning Fengzhi will definitely come with Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo. It's too risky for you to stay with me."

"But, young mistress, your safety…"

"No one in Heaven Dou Palace will harm me. Even my teacher Ning Fengzhi wouldn't. Do they really think they can rely on that fool Xue Beng?"

The candlelight in the prince's bedroom slowly dimmed and faded to darkness. Two figures quietly departed—one exited the palace, the other went directly to the chambers of Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire.

The next morning, a palace maid discovered Emperor Xue Ye bedridden with illness. All healing soul masters in the palace were summoned, but none could improve his condition. Even the renowned old healer Ye Renxin was helpless.

With Qian Renxue nearby, there was no way to keep the news hidden. Once it broke, the entire Heaven Dou Empire was shaken.