Dugu Bo was momentarily stunned.
Seizing power upon returning to the Spirit Hall—and Yin Zhang was even inviting him to assist.
He knew very well that Yin Zhang already had the backing of multiple Titled Douluos from the Hall of Worship. Strictly speaking, his own participation wasn't necessary. But since Yin Zhang had extended the invitation personally, Dugu Bo had no intention of refusing and immediately agreed. Still, he asked with some concern:
"Xiao Zhang, have you already made all the arrangements within Spirit Hall? Pope Bibi Dong may have been in power for just over ten years, but during that time she's planted a great many people throughout Spirit Hall. If you want to take power from her cleanly, it would be best to uproot all of her influence first. Otherwise, even after you succeed, you'll be dealing with endless internal trouble."
Yin Zhang nodded calmly, a faint smile on his face.
"Brother Bo, rest assured. Those matters have already been handled. There's only a small issue left—just enough to keep Bibi Dong numb in her illusion of absolute authority. When she returns to Spirit Hall this time, she'll be forced to face reality. The only reason she managed to seize control so quickly back then was because the elders of the Hall of Worship chose not to interfere. Otherwise, even after more than ten years as Pope, she'd still be nothing more than a puppet."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo couldn't help but sigh.
"Xiao Zhang, I have one more question."
Yin Zhang nodded. "Go ahead, Brother Bo. As long as it's not too sensitive, I'll tell you everything I know."
Dugu Bo hesitated briefly, then spoke.
"You know my granddaughter, Dugu Yan. She's currently with Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The two of them are very close. I've tried more than once to persuade her to break it off, but she absolutely refuses."
As he finished, Dugu Bo looked at Yin Zhang, waiting for his response.
Yin Zhang frowned slightly.
Yu Tianheng… the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The so-called number one beast-type martial soul clan, one of the Upper Three Sects—yet destined to stand against Spirit Hall.
Yin Zhang's attitude toward the clan itself was indifferent. Within it existed a traitor, Yu Luomian, who was secretly aligned with Bibi Dong. Once Qingxuan and Bibi Dong returned, Yin Zhang already planned to mobilize Spirit Hall's experts—possibly even his teacher, Golden Crocodile Douluo—to wipe out the entire clan.
But Yu Tianheng's relationship with Dugu Yan complicated matters.
If Yu Tianheng were killed outright, Dugu Bo's family would inevitably be affected.
But if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were destroyed wholesale, what would become of Yu Tianheng?
Letting him live would only leave behind a future source of hatred and revenge.
After a moment's thought, Yin Zhang spoke slowly.
"Brother Bo, you know as well as I do that Spirit Hall will soon begin purging the major sects and forces across the Douluo Continent. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is destined to oppose us. It's impossible for them to join Spirit Hall, and equally impossible to leave them untouched—doing so would only invite trouble later."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The best solution is to avoid involving Yan Yan directly. Lure Yu Tianheng away from her, then guide him into betraying her on his own. Only by severing that bond first can we handle the clan cleanly. Otherwise, the situation will remain tangled."
Dugu Bo considered this carefully, then nodded.
"That makes sense. But getting Yu Tianheng to reveal his true nature won't be easy. We may need to let Yan Yan see his weaknesses for herself, or guide things from the shadows. Xiao Zhang, this is a good approach."
Yin Zhang smiled faintly and said nothing further.
As a Titled Douluo and Spirit Hall's Poison Elder, Dugu Bo was someone even Salas would treat with respect. Since Dugu Bo himself didn't press the matter any further, there was no need for Yin Zhang to elaborate.
—
That night, Yin Zhang and Hu Liena were in the courtyard.
Hu Liena spoke to him softly, her tone relaxed and familiar, asking for his help with a trivial matter inside the room. Yin Zhang glanced at her, then followed her in without another word.
The night passed quietly.
—
The next day, Yin Zhang went to meet Qian Renxue.
The situation within the Heaven Dou Empire had changed dramatically.
Emperor Xue Ye's health was steadily declining, and imperial authority had already been handed over to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe—Qian Renxue in disguise. Rumors were spreading throughout Heaven Dou City that once Xue Qinghe ascended the throne, he would become a wise and capable ruler.
Praise was everywhere.
Some of it was deliberate momentum created by Qian Renxue herself, while much of the rest came from blind followers echoing the trend. Still, it had to be said that over the past decade, Xue Qinghe's public image had been impeccable—diligent, shrewd, and decisive.
If Yin Zhang didn't know the truth, even he might have believed that Xue Qinghe was an exemplary crown prince.
But he knew better.
The real Xue Qinghe had died more than ten years ago. Without Qian Renxue impersonating him flawlessly, the position of crown prince would have collapsed long ago.
Qian Renxue looked at Yin Zhang, her expression complicated.
With the protection of the Porcupine and Serpent Spear Douluos, and with her grandfather Qian Daoliu, she already had a clear grasp of Spirit Hall's internal situation.
Inwardly, she mocked her mother's ignorance—having her own power base quietly taken away without even realizing it.
The longing she once felt toward Bibi Dong was gone, replaced by resentment.
If you never intended to care about me, she thought coldly, then why give birth to me at all?
Outwardly calm, she looked at Yin Zhang and asked evenly:
"Yin Zhang, what is the purpose of calling me here?"
Yin Zhang smiled faintly.
"You already know the answer," he said. "To be direct—I want to hear your stance on my decision to remove Bibi Dong from power."