Maintaining a certain degree of autonomy?
Of course—that was no problem.
After all, major sects with histories spanning hundreds or even thousands of years placed immense importance on the inheritance of their traditions.
Once the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School joined the Spirit Hall, the Spirit Hall would naturally gain the legitimate right to intervene in its internal affairs. Personnel could be exchanged—disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School entering the Spirit Hall, and Spirit Hall members being stationed within the sect.
This was basic procedure.
Alternatively, Ning Fengzhi's children could be sent to Spirit Hall City to study at Spirit Hall Academy. By shaping their views from a young age, decades later—when Ning Fengzhi had grown old or passed away—the next sect leader would naturally become a firm supporter of the Spirit Hall.
One might argue that a successor could feign compliance, bide their time, and eventually seek independence.
But the key point was this: by then, the Spirit Hall would no longer fear the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School breaking free.
They could simply turn the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School into an affiliated sect, embedding their people throughout the organization to monitor every move.
In any generation, those truly determined to preserve absolute independence were always a minority.
Moreover, there was no deep, irreconcilable hatred between the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. There was simply no reason to resist to the bitter end.
Yin Zhang turned his gaze toward Qian Renxue.
There were seven people from the Spirit Hall present—five of them were Title Douluos.
Among them, Yunshan, Dugu Bo, and Tang Zhen were firmly aligned with Yin Zhang.
And Yin Zhang himself was, in practice, already equivalent to a Title Douluo.
Qian Renxue also represented two Title Douluo-level forces.
This entire situation had been orchestrated by Yin Zhang alone, so there was no need to ask who should give final approval.
Qian Renxue nodded lightly.
"Xiao Zhang, I'll leave this to you."
Yin Zhang smiled, then turned to Ning Fengzhi.
"Of course, Sect Master Ning, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will retain a certain degree of autonomy. However, if the Spirit Hall requires assistance in the future, we hope that Sect Master Ning and the two seniors will provide timely support."
"Additionally, regarding the education of Sect Master Ning's children—those born in the past few years can remain in the sect for now. But I've heard that Sect Master Ning has a seven-year-old daughter named Ning Rongrong. Why not send her to Spirit Hall Academy? As for the others, it won't be too late to send them after they awaken their martial souls at the age of six."
"There are some other minor matters, but we can discuss those in detail later."
Ning Fengzhi pressed his lips together, clearly reluctant.
But given the current circumstances, this was the only choice.
In fact, even if Yin Zhang hadn't proposed these conditions, Ning Fengzhi would still have found ways to demonstrate loyalty. Otherwise, he would have worried even more about what hidden motives the Spirit Hall might have.
"…Alright," Ning Fengzhi said with a sigh.
"When I return to the sect, I'll send Rongrong to Spirit Hall City. I ask that you take good care of her."
Yin Zhang nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing that Gu Rong and Chen Xin had also withdrawn their martial souls and stood beside Ning Fengzhi, Yin Zhang gave a small nod as well, signaling Yunshan and the others to do the same.
He leapt lightly down from the Golden Sacred Dragon's head and landed steadily on the ground.
Smiling, Yin Zhang asked, "Sect Master Ning, I heard that an imperial marshal has contacted you. Is that true?"
Ning Fengzhi didn't attempt to hide it. Having already crossed the line, there was no point in concealing anything further.
"Yes. Several marshals, led by Ge Long, approached us. They suspected that the Crown Prince had usurped power and colluded with the Spirit Hall. They should already be leading their troops this way."
A cold glint flashed through Yin Zhang's eyes.
Sooner or later, the Heaven Dou Empire would belong entirely to the Spirit Hall. Its army would become the Spirit Hall's army.
He could not allow this variable to remain.
"Very well," Yin Zhang said calmly. "Then, Sect Master Ning, I invite you and the two seniors to join us in suppressing the rebels."
Ning Fengzhi nodded helplessly, exchanging a meaningful glance with Gu Rong and Chen Xin.
Yin Zhang summoned his Fire-Breathing Dragon martial soul. Together with Yunshan and the others—and with Ning Fengzhi's group accompanying them—they flew toward the direction from which Ge Long's forces were advancing.
Less than a minute later, an army appeared on the distant horizon, densely packed and stretching as far as the eye could see.
Yin Zhang looked toward Qian Renxue.
She immediately understood his intent.
Nodding slightly, she raised her slender hand and gently brushed her face.
In an instant, her aura, appearance—her very presence—shifted completely.
The angel vanished, replaced by a refined young man whose every movement radiated noble elegance.
Ning Fengzhi froze.
He never could have imagined that the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe—whom he had personally instructed for years—was actually Qian Renxue in disguise.
Even more shocking was the fact that Xue Qinghe had met Gu Rong and Chen Xin countless times, yet neither had sensed anything amiss.
Gu Rong and Chen Xin were equally shaken.
If Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue…
Then did that mean the Heaven Dou royal family had already been completely hollowed out?
Ning Fengzhi had once planned to plead for Xue Qinghe's life in the future, hoping to save his disciple.
He never expected that from the very beginning, Xue Qinghe had belonged to the Spirit Hall.
The deaths of the eldest prince and the third prince…
The later misfortunes of Prince Xuexing, Xue Beng, and Princess Xue Ke…
Everything suddenly made sense.
The Heaven Dou Empire had been utterly outmaneuvered.
Disguised as Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue slowly descended to the ground.
When Ge Long and his vanguard arrived, they were stunned by the scene before them.
Especially upon seeing "Xue Qinghe."
Ge Long could hear murmurs spreading among the soldiers behind him and felt the strange, uneasy gazes directed his way.
His scalp tingled.
He quickly scanned the others—many of whom he didn't recognize—but when he spotted Dugu Bo, his expression changed instantly.
It was Dugu Bo!
The other Title Douluos were already terrifying enough, but Dugu Bo was different.
Against an army, he didn't even need to fight—one poisonous fog would be enough to annihilate them all.
There was no hope of resistance.
Fortunately, Ge Long soon spotted Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin.
His heart leapt with joy.
"Sect Master Ning! Seniors! I'm here!" Ge Long shouted.
Yet under his gaze, Ning Fengzhi and the other two calmly walked—step by step—to Yin Zhang's side.
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