"Enough!"
Just as Xue Beng, in a fit of rage, gripped his sword and hacked wildly at the furniture, a deep, stern voice filled with exasperation rang out from beyond the palace doors.
A moment later, an elderly man in a grand yellow robe, with neatly combed-back hair, stepped slowly into the room.
The moment Xue Beng saw him, the longsword in his hand clattered to the floor.
"U-Uncle… why are you here?"
This old man was none other than Prince Xue Xing—the younger brother of the Heaven Dou Empire's Emperor Xue Ye.
Prince Xue Xing didn't respond. His gaze swept across the wreckage within the palace hall, a look of deep disappointment flickering in his eyes.
With a frown, he said coldly, "What are you panicking for? That Qi Lin hasn't fully sided with Xue Qinghe yet, and you're already falling apart."
"Look at yourself. Is this how a prince behaves?"
"Do you really think smashing up some furniture in a rage will help you beat Xue Qinghe?"
Hearing these words, Xue Beng took a deep breath, struggling to calm the turmoil in his heart.
"Uncle, then tell me… what should we do next?"
"More and more people are rallying behind Xue Qinghe. Even those three old relics on the Education Committee are leaning toward his side. If this goes on, I'll be out of chances entirely."
Prince Xue Xing gave a cold snort. "It's precisely at times like this that you must not panic. In fact, you need to act even more like a spoiled, useless prince."
"Have you forgotten how your second and third brothers died? Do you want to end up just like them—dead without even knowing why?"
Xue Beng clenched his fists in frustration. "But I can't just sit around doing nothing and watch Xue Qinghe become the next Emperor, can I?"
"I'm not willing to accept that!"
Prince Xue Xing shot him a flat look and said bluntly, "The only thing you can do now is wait. Wait for Xue Qinghe to make a mistake. Otherwise…"
"You'd best keep playing your role as the useless royal. Once Xue Qinghe ascends, you can live out your days like me—as a discarded prince. At least you'll stay alive."
He spoke calmly, but his words carried a heavy weight.
Why was he helping Xue Beng? Because in this nephew, he saw a reflection of his younger self.
Why was he the Emperor's only remaining brother? Because all the others had been eliminated.
And the only reason he was still alive and well today was because he had always known when to back down.
"Damn it…"
Xue Beng tightened his fists, unwilling to accept it. Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing gave a rare trace of comfort.
"Enough. Even though Xue Qinghe has the better odds, it's not like you have no chance at all."
"And besides, this Qi Lin—even if he's talented—he's still just a support-type Spirit Master. He won't affect the bigger picture."
"If it really bothers you, cause him some trouble. At the very least, it'll make things more difficult for Xue Qinghe."
"After all, to everyone else, you're just a spoiled prince, aren't you?"
Xue Beng's eyes lit up at that.
"Uncle, you're right! Qi Lin hasn't fully sided with Xue Qinghe yet. I'll give him a little grief—maybe even force him out of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"
As for trying to recruit Qi Lin?
Xue Beng never even considered it. He was terrified that the moment he reached out, he'd mysteriously wind up dead the next day.
Xue Qinghe might tolerate a foolish prince, but he'd never tolerate a rival with ambition.
—
Meanwhile, in the meeting hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, multicolored light streamed through the crystal walls, casting vibrant reflections across the floor.
At the northern end of the hall, seated upon a finely carved chair, was a scholarly-looking middle-aged man in snowy white robes. He radiated a refined and graceful air.
This was Ning Fengzhi—Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Before him, a young man in fitted armor respectfully offered up a letter.
Ning Fengzhi received the letter with a gentle smile, but as he opened it and read its contents—especially the news about Ning Rongrong—his smile widened further.
"This girl… she's already reached Rank 28 in just a few short months? Excellent!"
"Hm?"
"She's close with Qi Lin?"
"And he… he's already reached Rank 50?"
"What astonishing speed. Wasn't he only Rank 48 a few months ago?"
The deeper he read, the more shaken Ning Fengzhi became. Even the part about Qi Lin being close to his daughter seemed less important compared to the boy's rapid cultivation.
As Ning Rongrong's instructor, he already knew of Qi Lin's identity and talent.
But still—breaking through two whole ranks in just three months?
Thirteen years old… already a Rank 50 Soul Ancestor?
That kind of talent bordered on monstrous.
Just then, two more figures flashed into the hall.
One was an elder with silver-white hair and youthful features, exuding a sharp and powerful aura.
The other was a towering man with a frail and gaunt appearance.
"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, you're here," Ning Fengzhi greeted them with deep respect.
These two were none other than the twin guardian deities of the clan—
Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
Sword Douluo stepped forward and said boldly, "Fengzhi, I heard there's news of Rongrong. Tell me—has our little treasure been bullied by anyone outside?"
Ning Fengzhi gave a helpless smile. "Uncle Jian, you know Rongrong's temper. If she's not the one doing the bullying, I'd already consider it a miracle."
Bone Douluo let out a hearty laugh. "So what did the message say?"
Ning Fengzhi shared the news of Ning Rongrong's arrival in Heaven Dou City.
Then he added, "Uncles, do you remember the young instructor I mentioned before—the one teaching Rongrong?"
The two elders exchanged a glance.
"What about him?"
"I remember you said he was a once-in-a-generation genius among support-types. Already Rank 48 at thirteen."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Well, according to the latest report, he's now Rank 50."
"What?!"
Both Sword and Bone Douluo's eyes narrowed in shock.
Only three months had passed—yet Qi Lin had gained another two ranks?
That was beyond terrifying.
Seeing their reactions, Ning Fengzhi dropped one more bombshell.
"And… Rongrong seems quite interested in this little fellow."
"What?!"
"She's interested in him?"
Sword and Bone Douluo both cried out, then frowned. "Even if he's incredibly gifted, he's still a support-type Spirit Master. How will he ever protect Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "From what we've heard, this child may not be a typical support-type. He seems to possess considerable combat strength."
"A support-type with combat strength? How much could it really be?"
Seeing their skepticism, Ning Fengzhi laughed. "Never mind, Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu. Since it's rare for Rongrong to take interest in anyone, let's go meet the boy and see for ourselves."
The two elders nodded.
"Very well!"