Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Clay, the Creator of All Things

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo remained silent for a moment, then gave Lu Yan a deep look: "Old Ye is also going on a long trip tomorrow, supposedly to treat an old friend."

"Yes, I know. I've already told Grandpa Ye. Don't worry, go ahead." Lu Yan nodded.

"You brat...sigh!" Dugu Bo sighed, "I knew nothing good would come of your return!"

"Old man, don't slander me!" Lu Yan pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Heh, isn't that right?" Dugu Bo sneered, "Someone spent a night out having fun a few days ago, leaving Yanyan and Lingling completely alone at home."

"Ahem, well, neither Yanyan nor Lingling mentioned it, did they?" Lu Yan smiled awkwardly. "Don't try anything funny!"

"Hmph, I can't be bothered with the affairs of you young people!" Dugu Bo glared fiercely at Lu Yan.

If you can't be bothered with me, then why are you babbling on and on?

Of course, Lu Yan couldn't say these words aloud; he could only mutter a few complaints in his mind.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo was discussing serious matters with Lu Yan: "Prince Xuexing, what are your final plans for handling this?"

"Isn't this giving you a chance to repay a favor?" Lu Yan didn't beat around the bush with the old man Dugu.

“Prince Xuexing, after all, saved my life back then.” Dugu Bo’s tone was unusually serious.

"Don't worry, as long as he doesn't court death, I won't personally deal with him." Lu Yan said calmly, "After all, this guy has always been quite good at handling things."

"So, what does that person mean?" Dugu Bo remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Old man, what, you really want to protect Xuexing to the death?" Lu Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Dugu Bo with surprise.

"Sigh, Xiao Lu, I think I should leave some bloodline for Xue Xing," Dugu Bo sighed. "It would be a way to fulfill our friendship over the years."

"So sentimental, I didn't realize you, this old poisoner, had such a human touch?" Lu Yan shook his head and chuckled. "Aren't you afraid of retaliation from the descendants of Snow Star in the future?"

"I did what I wanted to do. As for the future, let it be." Dugu Bo understood Lu Yan's meaning at this moment and smiled nonchalantly.

"Okay, whatever makes you happy." Lu Yan shrugged indifferently.

As for Xue Xing's future descendants seeking revenge, neither Dugu Bo nor Lu Yan cares about such things.

Lu Yan naturally knew the story of the Orphan of Zhao.

But so what? In a world where the strong rule, that doesn't apply.

Moreover, Lu Yan and Qian Renxue did not intend to completely exterminate the current Tiandou royal family in their plan.

There's no need for that, after all, perhaps one day even the title of emperor will cease to exist.

What can the royal family do?

If he could stand out among countless competing users on the Magic Network in the future, Lu Yan would even be happy to achieve that.

Thus, Dugu Bo bid farewell to Lu Yan and left on his own.

The next day, it was already the last day of January 2642.

Tomorrow is the day of the monthly grand court assembly of the Heavenly Dou Empire.

Lu Yan also visited the Crown Prince's residence again and met with Qian Renxue.

This time, the two did not become overly affectionate upon meeting, but instead got down to business.

“Tomorrow, the Xueye faction will launch an attack against me.” Qian Renxue said with a somewhat displeased expression.

"Isn't this what I expected?" Lu Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "What, someone betrayed you?"

"I can't hide it from you." Qian Renxue nodded: "These nobles are truly insatiable ingrates."

"Among the nobles and ministers we had originally won over, at least 50% have sided with Xueye."

"Tomorrow they will jointly submit a memorial impeaching me for my many crimes."

"Haha!" Lu Yan couldn't help but laugh when he saw Qian Renxue's somewhat angry expression.

"It's as if we didn't scheme against them at all." Lu Yan shook his head: "That's how it is with nobles."

"So from the very beginning, we didn't count on them, did we?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue gave a bitter smile on her beautiful face: "So I understand more and more just how important it is that you established the relief association, Xiao Lu."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan smiled slightly and shrugged: "Although I don't know much about things like succession to the throne."

"But I know that the most important thing is military force, followed by administrative talent."

"We have both of these things right now, since some people don't want to maintain a dignified appearance for a while longer."

"Then we'll grant his wish."

"The worst outcome would just be some trouble," Lu Yan said calmly, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"However, I feel that even the worst outcome may not happen. These people are better at changing their tune than anyone else."

"I'll be with you at tomorrow's court assembly, so you can rest assured!"

Upon hearing Lu Yan's words, Qian Renxue nodded slightly, then looked at Lu Yan with some speechlessness: "Little Lu, I think you are quite good at inheriting the throne."

"Nonsense, I don't know anything about this!" Lu Yan quickly waved his hand, "I only know a little bit about manual labor."

"The specific details need to be handled by experts, and I believe many people will volunteer at that time."

And so, this matter was settled.

Indeed, as Lu Yan said, it was quite rough.

Lu Yan and Qian Renxue's original plan was not to launch a coup during the Grand Court Assembly.

Although the relief organization can control public opinion, it's better to avoid trouble.

The two originally planned to find an opportunity to force Xueye to abdicate.

But after discovering Xueye's subtle actions, they made some minor adjustments to the plan.

If he wants to play on a snowy night, then play along. That way, he'll finally give up and won't be so reckless as to actually push things to the point where Lu Yan has to kill him.

After all, it's not impossible to put the royal family on trial, but that would have to wait until the future, when they are ready to abolish the emperor's position.

For the time being, both Lu Yan and Qian Renxue still need to maintain some semblance of imperial dignity.

After finishing his business with Qian Renxue, Lu Yan did not leave the Crown Prince's residence, but instead planned to stay overnight until the next day.

Unexpectedly, two uninvited guests arrived in the middle of the night.

Chapter 234 Marriage Alliance

The Crown Prince's residence was completely silent at midnight, except for the flickering palace lanterns under the eaves.

The soft, dim light cast long shadows of the trees in the courtyard.

Lu Yan was meditating in the quiet room when he sensed two familiar yet unfamiliar auras outside the courtyard, so he got up and went out.

Of course, Qian Renxue had already changed back to Xue Qinghe's appearance beforehand.

With that, Lu Yan raised the corners of his lips slightly and got up to walk towards the courtyard.

Xue Qinghe followed closely behind Lu Yan as he walked out.

In the courtyard, two figures stood quietly, both dressed in plain clothes, their usual elegance and sharpness replaced by a hidden solemnity.

The person on the left has a gentle face and a perfectly timed smile in his eyes; he is none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

The old man on the right is tall and straight, with white hair and beard, and his back is as straight as a sword. He exudes a faint sword intent. He is none other than Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, the guardian of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, Sword Douluo. Your visit so late at night is quite unexpected," Lu Yan said first, his voice clear and melodious.

Although Lu Yan believes he is now no weaker than Sword Douluo in terms of combat strength, he is still a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and must still maintain proper etiquette.

Of course, before Lu Yan spoke, the sound had already been blocked from spreading, and the sound was isolated within a certain range.

After all, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo must have had a reason for choosing to visit late at night.

Qian Renxue stood beside Lu Yan, now dressed as Xue Qinghe in men's clothing, with a refined and scholarly appearance. She also bowed to Ning Fengzhi, saying, "Teacher, is there something important to discuss with you so late at night?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's smile deepened, and his gaze swept over Lu Yan and Xue Qinghe.

He sighed inwardly, realizing that he was the one who had brought these two together in the first place.

Now, the two of them have grown to a point where he can no longer see through them at all.

Neither Lu Yan nor Xue Qinghe are the same people he once knew.

Especially Lu Yan, in just a few years, things have come to this point that even Sword Douluo can no longer see through Lu Yan's true strength.

Lu Yan's seemingly casual use of sound isolation earlier was enough to demonstrate his strength.

Master Lu's reputation is well-deserved!

This is also why he chose to visit late at night.

"It is truly presumptuous of me to disturb you so late at night. I beg Your Highness to forgive my rudeness."

Ning Fengzhi naturally wouldn't neglect formalities. After exchanging pleasantries, they finally got down to business once everyone was seated inside.

"Your Highness, to be honest, I have come to visit you late at night because I have something important to discuss with you both," Ning Fengzhi said solemnly.

"Sect Master, please speak freely." Seeing this, Lu Yan also suppressed his smile and looked at Ning Fengzhi with a serious expression.

He knew that what followed was the core purpose of their late-night visit.

“Master Lu…” Ning Fengzhi hesitated for a moment, but was interrupted by Lu Yan before he could speak.

"Sect Leader, you can just call me Little Lu. Calling me Master Lu is too formal," Lu Yan waved his hand and corrected Ning Fengzhi's form of address.

When Ning Fengzhi was interrupted by Lu Yan, he showed no displeasure but instead revealed a smile.

"Little Lu, as a core disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, you have always been highly regarded by the entire sect, and are regarded as an honored guest and an important ally of our sect. This has never changed."

Ning Fengzhi spoke slowly and sincerely, "As for your position as an elder of the Spirit Hall, I also had concerns at first."

"But seeing you single-handedly establish the Rescue Association, benefiting hundreds of millions of ordinary people in Tiandou, spreading new cultivation theories, and changing the landscape of the entire Soul Master world, I understand that you are no ordinary person, and your future achievements are beyond the reach of my mere Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."

He paused, then looked at Xue Qinghe beside him, and said, word by word, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has worked diligently in the Tiandou Court over the years, and his political achievements are remarkable. The relief association is the will of the people and is evident to all."

"Emperor Xueye is old and senile, and is no longer fit to rule the Heaven Dou Empire. If Your Highness the Crown Prince has any needs, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is willing to provide full assistance."

"Including myself and the two sect-protecting elders, you are at my beck and call!"

When Ning Fengzhi uttered these words, the entire room fell silent.