Nightfall.
Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
This was the first time Emperor Xue Ye had gathered so many people for a court banquet.
Aside from winning over Xue Tianyu, he had other objectives for this event.
For instance, Ning Fengzhi, who had just arrived with Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong, wanted to take this opportunity to meet Xue Tianyu.
Emperor Xue Ye placed great importance on this banquet.
It could determine whether the Heaven Dou Empire would rise in strength in the future.
If he could successfully establish a good relationship with Xue Tianyu at this banquet, then even the Heaven Dou Empire would no longer fear Spirit Hall!
"Your Majesty, about what we discussed earlier, I'll have to trouble you with that."
As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi could have easily disregarded Emperor Xue Ye.
But for Ning Rongrong's sake, he had already pleaded with Emperor Xue Ye three times.
That was one of the reasons this banquet was arranged.
When Ning Rongrong had returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in tears that night, Ning Fengzhi was furious upon hearing how his daughter had been humiliated. He had initially planned to take Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to teach Xue Tianyu a lesson.
However, he quickly received a detailed report on the incident from his informants.
The most crucial part was that Xue Tianyu had single-handedly crushed Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao and publicly killed Prince Xue Beng.
A person like that—someone even Emperor Xue Ye didn't dare seek revenge against—was not someone to offend lightly.
"Able to crush Tang Hao at such a young age… That kind of person… must be incredibly powerful."
The moment Ning Fengzhi received this information, he abandoned any thoughts of revenge.
Someone who could overpower Clear Sky Douluo?
That was an existence of unimaginable strength.
He absolutely couldn't afford to provoke such a person.
So, upon learning that Xue Tianyu had returned to the Heaven Dou Empire to continue participating in the Spirit Master Tournament, he immediately went to the palace, hoping Emperor Xue Ye could act as a mediator to reconcile the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with Xue Tianyu.
"Rest assured, Sect Master Ning." Emperor Xue Ye spoke confidently, patting Ning Fengzhi's shoulder with a casual smile. "I am the Emperor of Heaven Dou, after all. I imagine he will at least show me some courtesy."
"Of course." Ning Fengzhi had come with a request and could only maintain a polite smile. "I'll be relying on Your Majesty for this."
"Not a problem, not a problem. Haha." Emperor Xue Ye nodded.
In his mind, he had already entrusted Xue Qinghe with the task of befriending Xue Tianyu and had even given him the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud as a token of goodwill.
However, ever since the day Xue Beng died, they had lost track of Xue Tianyu.
Thus, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud had yet to be delivered.
Xue Qinghe had assured him that once Xue Tianyu's whereabouts were confirmed, he would immediately go and establish relations with him.
Over the years, Emperor Xue Ye had never needed to worry about his crown prince's efficiency in handling matters.
So, he simply assumed that Xue Tianyu would be friendly toward the Heaven Dou Empire.
That was why he had sent people to invite Xue Tianyu to this banquet, based on this assumption.
After all, he had taken out a national treasure. No matter what, Xue Tianyu shouldn't refuse his invitation to a meal, right?
'Surely, he will give me some face.'
Emperor Xue Ye was confident that he had some influence over Xue Tianyu.
And he had his own little plans as well.
By using the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's attempt at reconciliation, he could essentially bind one of the Three Upper Sects to the Heaven Dou Empire.
In the future, whether it was the Star Luo Empire or Spirit Hall causing trouble, they would have to reconsider their actions after assessing Heaven Dou's combined strength.
"Heaven Dou Empire, on the rise!" Emperor Xue Ye couldn't help but fantasize.
It was safe to say that every faction involved in this banquet had their own agendas.
Of course, some were pleased, while others were frustrated.
Watching Emperor Xue Ye laugh so happily, Ning Rongrong was thoroughly displeased.
Her plan had been to complain to her father, who would then bring Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to seek justice for her.
She was extremely dissatisfied.
After all, the injuries she sustained from that kneeling incident had taken a long time to heal.
It was the most severe injury she had ever suffered in her life.
She couldn't let it go until she had taken revenge on Xue Tianyu.
She had been holding in her resentment for a long time.
That night had shattered the entire Shrek Academy.
Oscar had seen through her and left in anger.
She had wanted to make him stay, but he turned away and left, as if making some kind of decision.
Dai Mubai's tragic death was the final straw.
The Shrek Seven Devils had completely fallen apart.
With Tang San's departure, Ning Rongrong had no reason to stay at Shrek Academy anymore.
Watching her beloved devote himself to redeeming Xiao Wu in the end left Ning Rongrong feeling heartbroken.
But it was Xue Tianyu's test of loyalty that had driven even her most devoted admirer away.
"Xue Tianyu, I hate you!"
Ning Rongrong despised Xue Tianyu.
So, when she returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she deliberately downplayed Xue Tianyu's strength, hoping Ning Fengzhi would take revenge for her.
In her view, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao was mediocre at best. The fact that Xue Tianyu had beaten him so easily only proved Tang Hao was weak.
Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, two powerful Titled Douluo.
How could a man like Tang Hao, who had been beaten into hiding by Spirit Hall, compare to her grandfather's and great-uncle's strength?
But Ning Fengzhi, who had been enraged and ready to storm the Tianshui Battle Team's hotel, immediately changed his stance after learning about Xue Tianyu's abilities.
Ning Rongrong couldn't understand it.
'Your own daughter was humiliated like that, and you're still so calm?
'And you're choosing to let it go?!'
She was completely speechless.
So, throughout the banquet, her face remained sullen.
Her displeasure was written all over her face.
Ning Fengzhi, of course, understood her thoughts.
She could afford to be willful, but he could not.
His decision was one made out of necessity.
The current situation was strange and perilous.
The Clear Sky Sect had sealed itself away, with no telling when it would re-emerge.
Spirit Hall was becoming increasingly active, clearly plotting something.
And the Star Luo Empire was constantly watching for an opportunity.
If one misstep was made, it could lead to disaster.
Ning Fengzhi couldn't gamble the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's future on revenge.
Besides…
His informants had reported that Xue Tianyu obviously had strong backers.
Which made sense—such a young, overpowering talent wouldn't have reached this level without guidance from even stronger hidden experts.
In fact, Ning Fengzhi had an impractical dream.
At such a turbulent time, if his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could form a marriage alliance with Xue Tianyu, they might have a shot at dominating the world.
Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
"Rongrong is still immature, but she's young."
Looking at his daughter, who refused to mask her dissatisfaction, Ning Fengzhi sighed deeply.
The possibility was far too slim.
He couldn't force Ning Rongrong into marriage, so he would have to find another way to build ties with Xue Tianyu.
…
Inside the Tianshui Academy hotel.
Qian Renxue entered Xue Tianyu's room, her smile dazzling.
She had come to deliver something rather important.
"This is from Xue Ye. He insisted I give it to you."
Qian Renxue revealed an unusual object.
It was a translucent blue, three-dimensional triangle, seemingly carved from sapphire.
Though only palm-sized, it glowed with a radiant blue light.