Chapter 03 :- Surging Undercurrent (2)

"Silent!"

The brustling debate of both the fractions stopped and the Imperial Courtroom instantly became quiet with Emperor Xue's order.

"What are your views on this matter, Sect Master Ning?" Asked the Emperor to a middle-aged man with a gentle but elegant temperament and a handsome refined face with silver hair sitting at the left of the emperor down the pedestal in the Courtroom.

Sect Master Ning that Emperor Xue referred to is Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Having the martial spirit of Seven Treasure of Glazed Tile Pagoda which is known as the number one auxiliary spirit of the mainland.

Ning Fengzhi had great prestige and his words carried a great meaning, his intelligence and views were well respected even by the Emperor.

Though Seven treasure glazed tile Pagoda is the number one auxiliary spirit. But the Martial Spirit is often exaggerated by the people as heaven-defying.

Though it is the strongest Auxiliary Spirit, it is still known to have a fatal flaw. That is, they cannot cultivate to the level of Contra.

But that's not a problem for a Sect that has two Super Douluos protecting their Sect.

The effect of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is known throughout the Continent and is recognized by all as the strong Auxiliary Martial Spirit for countless generations. Their auxiliary abilities are helpful to any Soul Masters.

The Martial Spirit of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is in itself heaven-defying Martial Spirit, because of its auxiliary boosting and other effects such as speed, boost, power etc.

Legend has that the boosting effect of Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was so powerful that a Soul Sect can fight head to head with a Super Douluo without losing.

But since the foundation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no one has ever awakened the Legendary Spirit Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda other than their Founding Ancestor.

After countless generations no matter what, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not see the light of that legendary Martial Spirit. But that does not diminish the name of the Martial Spirit from being the no1 Auxiliary Spirit.

It had been the dream of countless generations of Sect Master of Seven treasure glazed tile Sect to establish their Ancestor's feet by awakening The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but it never happened.

Heavenly Dao is ruthless and encompasses every being. It doesn't allow anyone with stronger potential and power than it to exist, to not threaten its existence.

As such it limits those existences that are a potential threat to its authority. Although Seven treasure glazed tile Pagoda can only be cultivated to rank 79 due to its limitations still it is the number one auxiliary spirit.

And along with the presence of two Super Douluos, the Seven Treasure Glazed tile sect occupies the 2nd position among the top three sects of the mainland.

This Sect is also considered the richest sect on the mainland due to its vast wealth and rich heritage. It can even invite two Super Douluos to sit and guard its town, this shows their wealth.

So no people dared to despise them although having auxiliary spirit.

Beside Ning Fenzghi sat a person covered in bony skeleton armour with a skinny but well-proportioned body having long grey hair hanging down his temple, eyes sharp as sword giving people a pious but heroic feeling, giving people urge to kneel and worship him.

His temperament is calm and ethereal as the ocean and as vast a sky as if blending with nature itself. He is one of the two Super Douluos of Seven treasure glazed tile sect, Bone Douluo, a super Douluo of rank 95.

Though his eyes are closed, no one present in the court dared to overestimate themselves in front of him even the Emperor.

His presence is already a blessing for everyone, as many of the Officials never came across a Title Douluo

let alone a Super Douluo

level figure.

"Your Majesty! Waging war can inflict heavy damage to our forces and the coalition forces attached to the Empire. What's more, is that there's a slim or no chance of our winning. Considering our current strength into account, we can at most just let spirit Hall shed some blood, other than it, we can hardly do any damage to the Spirit Hall."

"We may have a large army with countless soul sects, soul king, soul emperor but Spirit Hall's high-end combat strength with more than ten Titled Douluos is not something we can contend against at least for now."

" So, our chances are very slim and we'll be like lambs to be slaughtered on the battlefield. Let alone if their Pope or Second Worship or that legendary rank 99 limit Douluo great worship joins."

"This decision of ours may not only land us in the pages of the history of the Douluo continent but also our seventeen generations will be wiped out and hunted like cats and dogs, that's a risk we can't take. Let alone gambling on the fact that the great worship is still alive or not given that he still has not appeared on the mainland for more than a century. "

"Moreover, we do not have much information about the detailed strength of Spirit Hall. They can hide some Title Douluos. So we can't act in rush while knowing nothing about the enemy. "

"Showing Carelessness and not knowing anything about the enemy is a fatal threat to oneself," replied Ning Fengzhi.

Hearing the facts presented by Sect Master Ning the people in the Courtroom stopped talking. No one dared to breathe, sweats trickled down everyone's foreheads as their backs turned cold.

Zhou Den who suggested the use of force to deal with Martial Spirit Hall was sweating and shaking profusely, his clothes drenched in sweat and his heart bleeding. He was shrouded in guilt, thinking of the fact that he would have become the sinner of the Empire had his suggestion been approved.

Feeling thankful that his suggestion did not get approved due to Sect Master Ning's extraordinary foresight, he got up and bowed sincerely to him.

"Sect Master do you think that this rank 99 Limit Douluo, the Great Worship of Wuhun Temple is still alive? If he is alive can he not be countered with massive legions of armies? asked Prince Xue Xing. He was very curious about this issue.

Listening to Emperor Xue's words, Bone Douluo already closed his eyes opened slightly. Endless pressure and great momentum shrouded everyone present in the Hall.

Even Yu Yuanzhen

was having great trouble facing the pressure. This shows that the strength of Bone Douluo has far exceeded Yu Yuanzhen

though them being in the same realm of rank 95 Super Douluo.

"Uncle Bone... " Ning Fengzhi

said softly.

After listening to Ning Fengzhi's voice Bone Douluo regained his focus. Only then did the monstrous pressure that surrounded everyone in the Hall disappear.

Everyone sighed with relief. Now every Officials

present even the Emperor understood the power of Super Douluos. Even Yu Yuanzhen was pale in comparison to such great momentum

" I'm sorry! " Bone Douluo casually apologized and closed his eyes again without giving anyone any face.

Nobody present dared to reject his apology and show disrespect. He was the strongest present among everyone in the Court. Who dares not give him face? Disregard him? Who had the gut to mind anything? Even the Emperor had to give away in front of Bone Douluo. Annoy him? doesn't it means courting death.

"I'm sorry everyone, Uncle Bone meant no harm. Mentioning about rank 99 limits Douluo triggered certain painful memory in him making him lose control over his emotions," replied Ning

Fengzhi

with sadness and grief as he looked towards Bone Douluo.

Perceiving the remorse and grief in Ning Fengzhi's expression the atmosphere of the Hall became heavy.

In order to lighten the heavy atmosphere, Emperor Xue asked,

" I'm not being disrespectful towards Senior Bone but is it possible for Sect Master Ning to tell us about this matter? If it something that Senior Bone does not wish to elaborate on or if it something that involves any confidential issues about your Sect then Sect Master Ning can forget that I asked the question," asked Emperor

Xue spoke politely but there was an expectation and curiosity in his gaze.

Ning Fengzhi

looked towards Bone Douluo as if asking for his permission.

Ning Fengzhi

respected Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo very much since his childhood and always took their advice. He even trained under the supervision of both his uncles' Sword and Bone.

Bone Douluo remained seated, with his eyes closed. He just nodded slightly and did not respond much.

Perceiving Uncle Bone's approval of the matter Ning Fengzhi sighed slightly with a complicated expression.

Ning Fengzhi

was silent for a while. Seeing Ning

Fengzhi

in staying silent

, everyone remained seated and waited for him to start.

"A rank 99 Limit Douluo represents the Human Limit of Cultivation and rank 100 represents the level of Gods. A rank 99 Limit Douluo

is also known as Demigod because of its half step into the God realm."

Hearing this everyone present in the court was astonished. Because what Ning Fengzhi was telling was the profound knowledge that is not even recorded in the books and history of the Empire Or Mainland. There are certain Sects with rich heritages that have knowledge from ancient times stored and passed down generation after generation.

" According to some documents from our founding Ancestors. A rank 99 Limit Douluo is infinitely close to rank 100 God and they have small understanding and certain realisation of laws of Divine Realm and can sense Divine Energy. Though it is infinitely close to God but their difference is like heaven and Earth." replied Ning

Fengzhi

without minding everyone's astonished

gaze.

He continued, "Uncle Sword Douluo

and Uncle Bone Douluo's father was ranked 98 Title

Douluos, and were highly respected and popular figures of the past century. They were the best friends and also the confidants of my grandfather, the previous generation Sect Master of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"My Grandfather, Uncle Bone and Uncle Sword's father were of the same generation as the Houtian Douluo of that time, Tang Chen. They were also considered close friends."

"They travelled the mainland together and faced countless life and death battles together. After travelling for a few years they separated from Houtian Douluo, Tang Chen ( who travelled the mainland alone after separating,) my grandfather along with Grandfather Chen and Grandfather Gu continued their journey together."

"On their journey, they passed through countless cities, forests, plains, mountains and rivers. They fought with countless strong people and spirit Beasts."

"As they journeyed from one place to another they saw the vastness of the Douluo Continent. One day while travelling they arrived in a city. My grandpas smelled a thick smell of blood and Gloominess in the atmosphere. When they reached the city, they saw every people in the city was slaughtered by a group of Title Douluo ranked Evil Spirit Masters of unknown origin. They saw the Evil Spirit Masters using the blood of the humans to perform some kind of sacrifice."

"Angered by their barbaric and inhumane deeds my three grandfathers joined hands to wipe them out."

"After defeating them my grandfathers still felt uneasiness so they proceeded in the direction from which they felt uneasy. As they proceeded, they saw more Cities slaughtered clean by those Evil Spirit Masters."

"Seeing this they killed every Evil Spirit Masters on the way."

"At last they reached a city where my grandfathers encountered a rank 99 Limit Douluo who was performing some sort of Sacrificial Ceremony in an alter using human blood."

"Approximately a million people's blood was used by that person to perform the ceremony. A million!!... " Saying this Ning Fengzhi clenched his fist with anger. He had always been a composed and cool-headed person but when he said these he clenched his hands in anger.

No normal person can stay cool and level headed seeing the blood and corpse of a million people. Though Ning Fengzhi was not present during that time, he could almost imagine the anger and pain felt by his grandpas.

He continued the story with slight anger in his tone,

" Three Grandfathers could not tolerate the scene and started fighting that limit Douluo..... "

After saying this Ning Fengzhi

became silent. Bone Douluo's expression

became pale at this point, his eyes were expressionless but one could see the pain in his eyes.

Ning Fengzhi

continued, " But Grandfather Chen and Grandfather Gu were not the opponents of that rank 99 Limit Douluo even with my Grandfather's auxiliary boosts... "

'It took only 1 shot for that person to solve two ranks 98 title Douluos having the support of strongest Auxiliary Martial Spirit..... "

"Coincidentally, Senior Tang Chen passed that area at that time. He also followed the bloodthirsty aura in the atmosphere. But when he arrived he saw his three grandfathers being attacked. Without much hesitation, he sped up to help but he was still a second late. Three grandfathers were seriously wounded in a single attack."

"If it was not for the coincidental and timely arrival of Senior Tang Chen, my grandfathers would already have been dead..." Ning Fengzhi's tone was shaking as he tried holding his emotions.

He continued, "Senior Tang Chen managed to save three of my grandfathers with serious injury and escaped with great difficulties...."

"Because of the injury my grandfathers could not cultivate any longer but they were at least able to save their lives while Senior Tang Chen later advanced to rank 99 Limit Douluo before he disappeared mysteriously... "

Saying this Ning

Fengzhi

had a sad face.

"Later it was known that the Evil Spirit Master that wounded my three grandfathers was a Level 99 Limit Douluo and was the Leader of Holy Spirit Cult and called himself Holy Spirit Emperor. Qian Daoliu, the Great Worship of Spirit

Temple had fought with him to equal and manage to repel that Evil Spirit

Master who reached the level of limit Douluo. "

There was endless sadness and grief in Ning

Fengzhi's voice.

When everyone present in the courtroom heard all these secrets they were horrified by the strength of Limit Douluo.

But everyone present was astonished

by the fact that Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had two ranks 98 super Douluos.

This kind of background is incomprehensible and unheard of. One could imagine the rich heritage and background of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It was not easy to cultivate Title Douluo let alone two super Douluos having reached level 98 Super Douluo.

"The lifespan of Rank 99 limit Douluo is close to 400 years, so it hard to judge whether Great Worship is alive or in seculation "

"The Power a single rank 99 Limit

Douluo is enough to destroy a whole Empire. So, Great worship not taking action may have many possibilities. He may either be dead or may have been seriously injured, or there is something that prevents him from taking any possible actions. No speculation can be ruled out."

" But even if a rank 99 rank Limit

Douluo is seriously injured, he is still a demigod and has entered half step to Legendary God realm."

"They are so powerful because they have understood or pried into certain divine rules and absorbed a little bit of divine energy."

"So even if he is injured it is not something that even a rank 98 Douluo can contend against. Let alone there is a Pope and Second Worship who have reached rank 98 level Super Douluo."

"So, we can't afford to tear down our face with Spirit Hall, at least for now. Alas! Had it not been for the Houtian Sect being forced to close its gate, we could have fought spirit Hall down to a standstill. If not for Senior Tang Chen's missing, Houtianzong would not have to close its gate, and get bullied by those bastards from Spirit Hall. " replied Ning Fengzhi.

Everyone sighed hearing Ning Fengzhi saying the harsh reality of the matter as they could do nothing.

"So all we can do is just wait and increase our strength and recruit more people. Your Majesty you must plan to start reforms in and within the Empire as soon as possible. We can't wait any more time. The more we delay the more advantage the spirit Hall gets! " Ning Fengzhi addressed the court and Emperor Xue seriously.

"Yes, I agree with Sect Master Ning and his proposition. We can't lose more time otherwise it will be too late for us to regret."

This voice came from a tall handsome person sitting on the right of Emperor Xue down the pedestal.

His muscular and strong body is contrary to the Bone Douluo, who is sitting opposite him. It was as if both the peoples are like the North and South Pole of a planet.

The Person

is Yu Yuanzhen, the current Sect Master of Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Sect, a rank 95 Super Douluo and the only Title Douluo

of Blue Electric Tyrant Sect.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Blue electric Tyrant Dragon Sect are both among the top 3 sects in the mainland and rank successively.

Both these sects have been a strong pillar of support and backbone for the Heaven Dou Empire for countless generations.

"Your Majesty it's not that hard to overcome the current predicament. It's just that it will take a long time. " replied sect Master Ning Fengzhi.

"Please elaborate Sect Master Ning! " Asked Emperor Xue impatiently not caring about etiquettes due to excitement.

Seeing that he embarrassed himself in front of his ministers. He corrected his tone and replied,

" I've made sect Master Ning see something embarrassing, as a token of apology I'll punish myself with a cup of wine. I hope sect Master Ning does not mind my lack of mannerisms due to excitement. "

Saying this Emperor Xue toasted a cup to Ning Fengzhi and gulped down the wine.

"Your Majesty, as both Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou Empire

are in the same position against Spirit

Hall and are in cooperation relationship, so how can I bother your Majesty with such trifle things. It was this Ning's fault for not explaining my point clearly, causing your Majesty to be excited. "

"Please continue Sect Master Ning. " replied

Emperor

Xue.

"We can foster geniuses who awaken martial spirits with an innate rank of seven or above and let them be enrolled in Tiandou Academy. As for innate spirit powers above 3 and below 7 can be trained to join and enrol in the army."

"We must cultivate them, regardless of what background they come from, whether it's Commoners or nobles. Fostering them and cultivating them with resources from the beginning, they will have gratitude and endless loyalty."

"We can also announce that once they graduate from the academy they'll be granted the status and title as robed nobles by the empire. In this way, they'll forever be loyal to the Empire. As for those who will be fostered to join the army, some rewards and extra monthly allowance to their families will suffice." replied Ning Fengzhi

.

"Yes, I agree to this, Sect Master Ning's foresight and judgement towards tackling the situation is truly admirable" Saying this Emperor

Xue as a token of respect and appreciation for Ning Fengzhi toasted a cup of wine to Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi

gladly accepted Emperor

Xue complimented and also toasted a cup in his honour.

"This minister also agrees with Sect Master Ning's views"...

" I also agree" .....

"I agree.... "

Clamouring could be heard in the Imperial Court, all praising Ning Fengzhi's extraordinary and constantly flattering him.

Listening to Ning Fengzhi's explanation Yu Yuanzhen also directly supported him.

" Fengzhi I knew you are a crafty old fellow but I never you to be so cunning in nature. Truly, you broadened my horizons! Respect! Respect!." saying this Yu Yuanzhen also raised his cup and drank the wine.

Seeing Yu Yuanzhen agree with Ning Fengzhi's view Emperor Xue had calmed down the raging storm in his heart that had been torturing him endlessly like a capsizing boat in the stormy sea.

* robed nobles - nobles with no fiefs /Or nobles with no land under their jurisdiction