bookbashuk Chapter 321 Bait? Hunting Down the Haotian Sect!
Chapter 321 Bait? Hunting Down the Haotian Sect!
Chapter 321 Bait? Hunting Down the Haotian Sect!
Tian Dou City, Imperial Palace.
The palace, though brightly lit under the cover of night, exuded an unusual solemnity and silence. A sense of oppression permeated the air, and even the footsteps of the patrolling guards sounded heavier than usual.
Outside the emperor's palace on a snowy night, the scene had changed drastically.
The elite Royal Knights, clad in gleaming armor, who used to guard this place, have vanished without a trace. In their place are squads of Soul Masters in standard robes, their eyes cold and their aura sharp, as well as a few well-trained soldiers in special armor, wielding spears.
They stood silently around the palace, completely surrounding this symbol of the empire's highest power. Their invisible spiritual energy subtly merged, forming a tight blockade.
Two figures were walking briskly along the main road leading to the palace.
The leader, dressed in a magnificent scholar's robe, had a gentle face but an inescapable air of solemnity and worry. He was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Beside him followed an old man in white robes, none other than Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
As soon as the two approached the perimeter of the palace, several soldiers with spears and wary eyes immediately stepped forward, their spears clashing, and blocked their path without hesitation.
"Halt! This is forbidden area; do not approach!"
The captain of the leading soldiers spoke in a cold, emotionless voice.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi paused, his brows furrowing slightly. He wasn't angry, but calmly took out a golden token engraved with a swan from his robes and said in a deep voice:
"I am Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and a guest minister of the Empire. I have important matters to discuss with His Majesty. This is a golden token personally bestowed by His Majesty. Seeing this token is as if His Majesty himself were present. Shall we move aside?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the authority of someone who had long held a high position.
They attempted to forcibly open the passage using their identity and token.
However, the captain merely glanced coldly at the gold medal, a symbol of immense honor and authority, his face unmoved. Instead, his tone hardened further as he said:
"Sect Leader Ning, we are acting on His Highness the Crown Prince's strict orders. His Majesty is unwell and requires absolute rest; no one is permitted to disturb him. His Highness has decreed that without his personal instruction or written order, no one, including those holding the guest minister's gold token, is allowed to enter and disturb His Majesty's rest!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "His Highness the Crown Prince" and "anyone," and instead of retracting his spear, he moved it forward another half inch, indicating that he would not compromise.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's heart sank.
The gold medal is invalid!
The guards were replaced by Soul Masters of unknown origin and some unfamiliar soldiers!
All of this points to a fact that is all too obvious.
The palace, at least this sleeping quarters area, has been completely taken over! Emperor Xueye's condition is probably far more dangerous than the rumors suggest, and he may even... have already lost his freedom!
Immediately afterwards, Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance with the Sword Douluo beside him.
Although Sword Douluo was surrounded by a faint aura of sharp sword energy, he did not make any rash moves.
In his view, forcibly breaking in at this moment was obviously not a wise move, as there were quite a few hidden Soul Master auras around, including many powerful individuals at the Title Douluo level.
"Your Highness...where are you right now? I have urgent business to report to Your Highness." Forcibly suppressing his anger, Ning Fengzhi asked instead.
The soldier captain said expressionlessly:
"His Highness the Crown Prince is currently dealing with urgent state affairs and is unable to receive you. If Sect Leader Ning has urgent business, you may wait in the side hall for notification, or come another day."
It was watertight and flawless.
Ning Fengzhi knew that it was absolutely impossible for him to see Emperor Xueye today.
"In that case, I will visit His Majesty another day. I urge everyone... to ensure His Majesty's safety." Ning Fengzhi slowly put away the gold token, his voice carrying a hint of coldness that was barely perceptible.
After saying that, he said no more, nodded slightly to Sword Douluo, and the two turned around and slowly left along the way they came. Their shadows stretched long under the palace lanterns, making them look particularly heavy.
As soon as he turned around, Ning Fengzhi's calm expression was replaced by a solemn one. He kept walking and his lips moved slightly, sending a subtle but clear soul power transmission into the ears of the Sword Douluo beside him.
"Uncle Jian, something's wrong. The palace guards have all been replaced, the golden tokens are no longer valid, the Crown Prince may have been taken hostage, His Majesty is probably in dire straits, or even..."
He paused, his voice growing deeper.
"This place has become a den of dragons and tigers; it would be unwise to force our way in."
"You must immediately rush to Yuexuan, find Sect Master Tang Xiao, and truthfully inform him of the situation here. Make sure he... brings the elite troops of Haotian Sect here immediately! Hurry!"
Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo nodded slightly without changing his expression and responded telepathically in return:
"Understood. Sect Master, and what about you?"
"I'll return to my residence to take refuge temporarily, and at the same time contact my former royal subordinates and Marshal Goron to see if we can gather information or exert pressure from the outside. Go and return quickly, and be careful in everything you do."
"Alright." Chen Xin said no more.
As he rounded a corner of the palace wall and temporarily escaped the view of those behind him, he seemed to transform into an invisible sword light, silently merging into the night and rushing towards Yuexuan at an extreme speed, without even making a sound.
...............
Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince's residence.
In the secluded courtyard, Qian Renxue held a jade pot and gracefully watered a rare golden-stamen snow orchid. Moonlight shone on her profile, which was disguised as Xue Qinghe's gentle and peaceful face, making her seem like a truly carefree prince who was detached from worldly affairs and devoted to flowers and plants.
Suddenly, not far from her, the air rippled slightly like water, and golden light surged. A figure appeared silently like a ghost, none other than the Serpent Spear Douluo.
"Young Master." The Serpent Spear Douluo bowed slightly, his voice low, and said:
"Urgent news has arrived from Wuhun City."
Qian Renxue did not pause her watering of the flowers at all; she merely turned her head slightly, signaling him to continue.
"The news is confirmed. The Clear Sky Sect... has emerged from seclusion. Its sect leader, Tang Xiao, and Clear Sky Douluo, who seems to be Tang Hao, are currently in this Heaven Dou City," said Serpent Spear Douluo calmly.
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the water in the jade pot in her hand flowed very steadily. She responded softly, her expression revealing neither joy nor anger.
Serpent Spear Douluo continued his report, his tone carrying a hint of murderous intent and a hidden excitement, saying, "Both His Holiness the Pope and the High Priest have sent edicts."
"The objective has changed for this operation; the worshippers are already on their way."
"Not only must we successfully seize the Heavenly Dou Imperial Power, but we must also take this opportunity... to wipe out all the core members of the Clear Sky Sect who have infiltrated Heavenly Dou City!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue paused slightly while watering the flowers.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has been destroyed, and the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan has perished."
"If we can destroy the Clear Sky Sect this time... then the three major sects on the continent will become history! Our Spirit Hall's great cause of unifying the continent will be without any obstacles!"
The courtyard was quiet except for the sound of flowing water.
Under the moonlight, Qian Renxue slowly stood up and placed the jade pot on the stone table beside her. She turned around, and her gentle face, which belonged to Xue Qinghe, was expressionless at this moment. Only a golden light flashed in her deep eyes.
She looked towards the palace, as if she could see through the layers of buildings and glimpse somewhere within it.
"To wipe out... the entire Haotian Sect..."
"This is... the perfect time."
"Pass down the order: proceed as planned, have everyone strengthen absolute control over the palace to ensure the bait cannot be rescued. At the same time... initiate full surveillance of the Haotian Sect members entering the city. Once the offerings from Wuhun City arrive... that will be the time for us to close the net."
"Yes, young master!"
Upon hearing this, Serpent Spear Douluo bowed and accepted the order, his figure once again disappearing into the shadows.
The night in Tiandou City grew ever deeper.
Beneath the surface, a deadly trap has quietly unfolded, like a spiderweb.
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(End of this chapter)