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At the same time, in Heaven Dou City, at the Crown Prince's Mansion, within a secluded and peaceful garden. Qian Renxue was holding an exquisite white jade watering can. She was calmly watering a rare orchid with an elegant and unhurried posture, looking like a true leisurely noble. Behind her, a man in black was kneeling on one knee. He was reporting the highest confidential information from Spirit Hall in a low and rapid voice.
Suddenly, Qian Renxue's watering motion abruptly paused, and she seemed to be frozen in place. The next second, she suddenly turned her head. Her usually gentle and jade-like handsome face was instantly filled with shock and disbelief. It even carried a hint of uncontrollable anger.
"What? What did you say? Is that madwoman Bibi Dong really going to target the people of Tianxing Academy in the Soul Hunting Operation?"
The white jade watering can in her hand dropped with a loud clatter onto the bluestone slab. It shattered into many pieces, and the clear water splashed onto Qian Renxue's clothes. However, she was completely oblivious to the mess.
"She's crazy! She is truly crazy!"
Immediately, an indescribable anger and lingering fear surged into her heart. Qian Renxue's mind instantly replayed the tragic ambush outside Spirit City that happened not long ago. Tang Chen was severely injured and on the verge of death. He was ultimately rescued by a mysterious Spirit Beast. Those scenes were etched into her heart like a nightmare.
At that time, Qian Renxue was in the guise of Xue Qinghe. She was standing by Ning Fengzhi's side and watching everything unfold. She had no suitable opportunity to intervene. She had countless impulses to act. She wanted to expose her identity regardless of the consequences and forcibly stop the fight. But her reason ultimately triumphed over her impulse.
Qian Renxue knew very well that even if she had exposed her identity and strength, it would not have been enough. She had hidden her power for many years, but at that time, she only had a Spirit Saint level cultivation. What could she change against the Peak Douluo Bibi Dong? She simply could not save Tang Chen from her.
That feeling of powerlessness and the anxiety of watching someone important in danger later turned into intense resentment. She felt a deep anger towards Bibi Dong. She even personally went to Spirit City to have a big argument with Bibi Dong.
She questioned why the woman was so resolute and cruel. But now, the Soul Hunting Operation was actually going to target Tianxing Academy as well. This was undoubtedly going to completely extinguish the tiny sliver of hope she had managed to preserve.
At this moment, Qian Renxue's chest heaved violently with anger. A cold light flickered in her golden eyes. After a moment of silence, she took a deep breath. She forcibly suppressed the churning emotions in her heart.
She said coldly to the man in black kneeling on the ground, "Continue to monitor them. If there is any news about the Soul Hunting Operation, especially anything involving Tianxing Academy, report to me immediately. There must be no mistakes."
"Yes, Young Lord!" The man in black respectfully acknowledged the order. His figure quickly disappeared into the shadows.
Three months passed in a flash. On a dark and windy night, outside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School castle, two disciples responsible for the night patrol were listlessly strolling along the fixed route. They were about one kilometer outside the castle.
The chill of the deep night and the constant onslaught of drowsiness made them slow. Their expressions looked somewhat tired, and their steps were a bit sluggish.
As one of the Seven Great Sects today, the school was very powerful. After the Clear Sky Sect had secluded itself for many years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had vaguely become the leader of the sects apart from Spirit Hall.
It was even renowned for its immense wealth. Its status in the Spirit Master world was extremely high with a deep foundation.
Because of this, the castle where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was located had been peaceful for far too long. It had been so long that these patrolling disciples did not believe there was a need to be too serious. After all, who would be so bold as to dare to provoke the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?
"Achoo!" The patrolling disciple on the left suddenly shivered. He rubbed his arms and said to his companion on the right, "Why do I suddenly feel a bit cold?"
This chill did not seem to come entirely from the night wind. Instead, it felt like it came from a sharp killing intent.
"Are you catching a cold?" the other asked.
The patrolling disciple on the left shook his head. He said, "No, Spirit Masters rarely get sick. Maybe I am just being too sensitive. Wait for me here. I'm going to relieve myself in those bushes over there."
As he spoke, he jogged towards a dimly lit bush not far away. However, at this moment, the corner of his eye suddenly caught a faint glimmer of light. It was extremely subtle and almost imperceptible. It looked like metal reflecting in the moonlight. Then, his ear heard a barely audible whoosh. His sleepiness was instantly mostly shaken off.
However, it was already too late. The next second, a uniquely shaped Snake Lance shot out from the shadows. It was shimmering with golden electric light. It came from behind his side without any warning, like a venomous snake striking out of its hole. Then, with a speed that was too fast to see, it precisely and cruelly pierced directly through his chest.
This disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could not even let out a scream. He only felt a sudden chill in his chest. An irresistible sharp pain and coldness instantly stripped him of all his strength and consciousness.
"Kill!"
The next second, countless black figures swarmed out from the surrounding dense forests, bushes, and rocks. They were like silent killing machines. Their Spirit Rings were shining, and they carried a monstrous killing intent. Then, like a black tide, they launched a fearless charge towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School castle.
Immediately, the cries of battle shook the heavens. The tranquil night sky was instantly torn apart by screams, roars, and the booming clashes of Spirit Abilities.
The next day, at the Tianxing Academy Principal's Office, the door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang. The next second, Ning Fengzhi stumbled in. He was supported by the Bone Douluo, Gu Rong. They were both panting and unsteady.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi's face was as pale as paper. His forehead was even covered with fine beads of sweat. His breathing was rapid, and his luxurious clothes were somewhat disheveled. They were stained with dust and some dark red smudges.
This was an almost impossible situation for Ning Fengzhi. He was usually extremely meticulous about his appearance. The Bone Douluo beside him looked even more disheveled. His face was also pale. His characteristic skeleton-like figure now appeared somewhat hunched. His right arm hung limply by his side because he had sustained a serious injury.
Dugu Bo was in the office at the time. He frowned slightly upon seeing this. He slowly stood up from his seat. His face was full of confusion and solemnity as he asked, "School Master Ning, Bone Douluo? What happened to you two? What is going on?"
He had never seen Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong in such a sorry state before. Ning Fengzhi's face was extremely grim. After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is destroyed."
"What? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is destroyed?" Hearing this, Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly contracted. His face was filled with disbelief. That was one of the most powerful sects in the world today.
He knew the foundation of the school well. They possessed two top-tier Titled Douluo, Bone and Sword. Sect Master Ning Fengzhi's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda amplification was even heaven-defying.
The total number of disciples inside and outside the sect was huge. With affiliated Spirit Masters, they exceeded five thousand people. How could such a massive force be gone overnight? Dugu Bo quickly offered a cup of hot tea. His tone was slightly heavy as he spoke.
"School Master Ning, please catch your breath first. What exactly happened? Take your time and tell me."
Ning Fengzhi suppressed the monstrous anger and grief in his heart. He took several deep breaths. Only then did he manage to steady his trembling voice.
"Last night, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was attacked by enemies. The other party chose the timing too well. It was precisely when forty percent of the sect's disciples were out on business. We were at our most vulnerable point.
Fortunately, before they launched their general attack, they were accidentally discovered by the outer patrol disciples. Those men gave us a timely warning. This gave us a short period of preparation. The battle lasted for a full two hours. However, the school suffered heavy losses. Over two-thirds of our disciples perished in the fight."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's face changed again. He already had a guess in his heart. He asked in a deep voice, "Was it Spirit Hall that attacked you?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded painfully. He said in a deep voice, "Across the entire continent, besides Spirit Hall, who else could possess such a massive force? Who else is capable of launching such a precise and ruthless attack? I must go to see His Majesty immediately and report this matter.
I came here specifically to warn you, Principal Dugu Bo. I just received definite news that your Tianxing Academy is also among the targets for this Soul Hunting Operation."
"What did you say?" Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's face changed drastically for the third time. A chill suddenly rose from the bottom of his heart.
At the same time, thousands of miles away in the Star Dou Great Forest, within the Great Fierce Land, Tang Chen was in deep cultivation. Suddenly, a golden light burst forth from his glabella. Immediately after, a golden vertical eye pattern appeared. It emitted a scorching light. At this moment, his spiritual sea churned violently.
Countless images uncontrollably appeared in his mind. He saw Tianxing Academy engulfed in flames. He saw Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling. Familiar figures were falling one after another under the siege of the men in black. The entire academy was turning into a scorched wasteland.
"Ugh, ah!"
Letting out a roar, Tang Chen was abruptly startled awake from his cultivation state. He suddenly opened his eyes. They were filled with shock, anger, and anxiety. The next second, he stood up without hesitation. He walked quickly out of the cave.
Seeing this, Xiao Rui'er followed him. Her face changed slightly, and she asked with concern, "What's wrong with you? What happened?"
Taking a deep breath, Tang Chen's face looked unusually grim. His forward steps did not stop. His voice carried a barely perceptible tremor as he spoke.
"I don't know either, but I must return to Heaven Dou City immediately. Over there, I'm afraid something big is about to happen!"