When Chen Feng spoke those words, several of the powerful figures present let out quiet sighs.
Indeed, how could reaching the hundredth rank and becoming a god be so simple?
Even ascending to the rank of Titled Douluo demanded extraordinary talent, relentless effort, and no small amount of luck—any one missing, and the path would collapse.
If even becoming a Titled Douluo was this arduous, then stepping into the realm of gods was all but impossible to speak of.
After a short exchange, everyone returned to their respective carriages to rest.
Seven days later, they finally arrived at the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire—Heaven Dou City.
Thirty li outside the city gates, Emperor Xue Ye, accompanied by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, led the civil and military officials in full ceremonial array to greet them, a display meant to honor the champion team.
The procession was magnificent. Soldiers stood tall in polished armor, lined up neatly on both sides.
Flags fluttered, banners rippled, and the sound of ceremonial music filled the air.
Under the solemn gazes of the guards of honor, the academy representative teams and their teachers advanced along a red carpet. At the very front walked the Seven Treasure Battle Team, with Chen Feng at their head.
Emperor Xue Ye personally rose from his throne to show respect for the champions.
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe stepped forward as the royal representative, clasping Chen Feng's hand with visible excitement:
"Welcome back, champions!"
"You fought brilliantly in the finals. I heard you nearly defeated Spirit Hall's Golden Generation single-handedly!"
Chen Feng looked at the heir to the Heaven Dou throne. Refined, reserved, his bearing gentle and cultured—there was even a certain resemblance to Ning Fengzhi in the way he carried himself. Chen Feng wondered if it was intentional.
"Your Highness flatters me," Chen Feng replied humbly.
Of course, he knew very well that the current "Xue Qinghe" was no longer the true prince, but Qian Renxue—the daughter of the former Pope Qian Xunji and the current Pope Bibi Dong.
But now was not the time to tear away the disguise.
After all, Bibi Dong represented the Papal Hall, while Qian Renxue had the backing of Qian Daoliu and the Worship Hall. Until the Worship Hall itself openly threw its weight behind Spirit Hall's darker ambitions, the two factions could not be treated as one.
To Chen Feng, anyone who could be drawn in was worth drawing in. If it came to conflict later, it wouldn't be too late to fight then.
As for Emperor Xue Ye, Chen Feng still had to give him a warning. Spirit Hall could not be allowed to continue poisoning him.
If necessary, Chen Feng was prepared to move Poison Douluo and Yang Wudi into the palace. Both men were formidable experts and masters of poison and antidotes alike. With them present, Emperor Xue Ye's safety would be assured.
Of course, all of this would require further discussion with the Emperor himself.
After the ritual exchanges of courtesy, the Heaven Dou court hosted a grand celebration banquet within the palace.
At the banquet, Chen Feng was formally conferred the title of guest elder of the empire, standing on equal footing with Dugu Bo.
This also granted him a certain voice in matters of state.
Emperor Xue Ye personally stepped forward to shake Chen Feng's hand. Gazing at this rising young powerhouse, his eyes were full of admiration.
In time, once Chen Feng had fully risen, the Heaven Dou Empire would have two Titled Douluo-level experts guarding it. Though they were only "guest elders," if the royal family were in peril, surely they could not sit idly by.
With the addition of the Sword and Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the empire's strength had increased considerably. They no longer needed to fear Spirit Hall quite so much.
But as Emperor Xue Ye released Chen Feng's hand, his expression flickered strangely for an instant. A moment later, the mask of imperial calm returned.
Once back on his throne, he discreetly opened his palm beneath the table. Hidden there was a small folded note.
"There is a spy from Spirit Hall. I await the chance to confer with Your Majesty."
Though his heart trembled, Emperor Xue Ye's face did not betray him. He carefully tucked the paper away and allowed the banquet to proceed as normal.
Halfway through, the Emperor quietly withdrew from the feast, summoning several key figures to the palace for a private audience.
The rest of the banquet was left in the hands of Prince Xue Xing and the fourth prince, Xue Beng.
In the palace council chamber.
Emperor Xue Ye, dressed in plain robes, sat at the head of the table. On his left sat Ning Fengzhi, the Sword and Bone Douluo, and Chen Feng.
On his right were Dugu Bo, Xue Qinghe, and Marshal Ge Long representing the military.
Also present were Yang Wudi, patriarch of the Breaking Clan; Niu Gao, patriarch of the Defense Clan; and the three deans of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
These were the true pillars of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Emperor did not know who exactly Chen Feng's note referred to as a spy, but to avoid arousing suspicion, he had gathered all of them here.
"Gentlemen, you are all the backbone of the empire. Tonight, let us put aside ranks of monarch and subject, and speak frankly as equals. Say whatever you wish to say."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Chen Feng. "Elder Chen, I've heard you suggested that the Defense Clan and the Breaking Clan ally with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and relocate near Heaven Dou City. Is that correct?"
Chen Feng nodded. In fact, after more than a year, the compounds of the sect and the two single-attribute clans were already nearing completion.
Their new base lay just twenty li from Heaven Dou City, only forty li in a straight line from the imperial palace.
"Your Majesty, Spirit Hall's ambitions go far beyond dominating the soul master world. We must prepare for the possibility of a sudden strike," Chen Feng said plainly.
There was no point in hiding this. Such large-scale construction could not be concealed from anyone.
Emperor Xue Ye nodded, a sense of security taking root in his heart.
The news that Spirit Hall had dispatched eight Titled Douluo to ambush the academy teams had left him deeply unsettled.
When the report arrived, he had endured sleepless nights for days on end.
Eight-Titled Douluo!
That was more than the combined total of both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.
Fortunately, the Sword and Bone Douluo had proven their unmatched strength, and with Chen Feng and the two single-attribute clan leaders rising alongside them, the assault had been repelled.
Though Spirit Hall had gained nothing and even lost Ghost Douluo in the process, retaliation or another strike was inevitable.
Spirit Hall's claws were bared for all to see, their might enough to terrify every power. In such times, only by standing together could there be hope of survival.
It was fortunate indeed that the two single-attribute clans and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had chosen to relocate near Heaven Dou City. Emperor Xue Ye had eagerly provided manpower, resources, and funding to hasten the construction.
Thus, the three factions' compounds had risen with astonishing speed.
Once their relocation was complete, Heaven Dou City would boast three Titled Douluo guardians, Chen Feng—whose strength was already approaching that level—along with Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Marshal Ge Long, and the three academy deans, all at the Soul Douluo level.
With such an array of power, even Spirit Hall would have to think twice before daring a direct assault.
This was the true meaning of standing together.