Chapter 243: The Coup in Tian Dou Palace
After leaving the Flowing Fire Mountain Range, Yang Potian set his sights on Tian Dou City, curious about the recent developments there and hoping to find an opportunity to benefit amidst the turmoil.
Unbeknownst to him, significant events had indeed unfolded. Since the Tianxing Academy's clash with the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Hao had remained comatose, though Tang Xiao had recovered about 50–60% of his strength and was once again handling clan affairs. Meanwhile, Tang San and his companions had gathered and prepared for their journey to Sea God Island.
Amidst these preparations, Xiao Wu, who had vanished after the Soul Master Tournament, suddenly reappeared and sought out Tang San at the Clear Sky Clan. Upon their emotional reunion, Tang San and Xiao Wu could barely hold back their tears as they embraced, overwhelmed by the years spent apart.
Within the Clear Sky Clan, Xiao Wu's identity as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was kept safe, and under Tang Xiao's watch, no one dared to act on it. Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Tian Dou Empire were aware of her presence, they took no action. Among powerful factions, the Clear Sky Clan's elite strength was unmatched, and the black dragon claw that appeared during the Tianxing Academy battle lingered in the memories of many.
As Tang San held Xiao Wu, reluctant to let go, he finally spoke, "Xiao Wu, do you know someone called Di Tian?"
Xiao Wu nodded, "Yes, I know Uncle Di Tian. I only recently met him. They say he was a friend of my mother and spent years wandering with other companions, so I never met him before. When the Spirit Hall came after me, it was Uncle Di Tian's friends who saved me. Without their help, I would've been captured."
"Why would the Spirit Hall go after you in the Star Dou Forest?" Tang San asked, perplexed.
"A year ago, a group of Spirit Hall soul masters entered the Star Dou Forest," Xiao Wu explained. "Er Ming noticed something suspicious and, recognizing them as Spirit Hall, attacked. But two managed to escape. Later, Spirit Hall sent two Titled Douluos, ten Soul Sages, and other soul masters. The Golden Generation—Yan, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue—were there as well. Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo restrained Da Ming and Er Ming with their spirit fusion ability, while the others attacked me. I was saved only when Uncle Di Tian's friends arrived."
Tang San's eyes blazed with anger, "The Spirit Hall has gone too far. I swear I'll avenge this."
After their emotional reunion, Tang San and Xiao Wu decided that she would accompany him to Sea God Island, completing the seven-member team they needed.
Meanwhile, another development took place in the Tian Dou Empire—Emperor Xue Ye had fallen ill, sparking widespread anxiety and rumors. Many claimed that the Crown Prince had poisoned the Emperor, intending to seize the throne. Others blamed the Upper Three Sects, accusing them of plotting against the Emperor. Chaos engulfed Tian Dou City as factions maneuvered for power.
Prince Xue Xing, a longtime confidant of Emperor Xue Ye with strong military backing, harbored deep suspicions. For years, he had closely guarded Emperor Xue Ye's well-being and found it improbable that his brother would fall ill so suddenly unless exposed to a deadly poison. Given that the Emperor was himself a Soul Douluo, such rapid deterioration was peculiar. Prince Xue Xing had heard of Tang San's expertise in poisons and medicinal herbs and, hoping to save the Emperor, requested his aid.
After careful consideration, Tang San, accompanied by Tang Lie, entered the palace to assess the Emperor's condition. Upon arrival, they were met with a shocking sight. The palace was locked down, and imperial guards were deployed en masse, hinting at an impending coup.
However, Prince Xue Xing, with extensive connections even within the palace, managed to gain entry for himself, Tang San, and Tang Lie, particularly since loyalists within the court wished to see the Emperor saved.
When Tang San examined the Emperor, his suspicions were confirmed: the Emperor had been poisoned with a rare venom—Scorpion Toxin, a deadly substance known only to Spirit Hall, specifically used by Scorpion Douluo. With Xue Qinghe's recent actions, all signs pointed to his involvement.
Before they could act, Xue Qinghe launched his coup, fully committing to his scheme. Fueled by Qian Daoliu's arrival, he felt emboldened, even resorting to such drastic measures.
Amidst the chaos, Tang San, Tang Lie, and Prince Xue Xing found themselves trapped within the palace. Tang Lie faced Scorpion and Snake Spear Douluo, finding himself evenly matched and unable to gain the upper hand. Tang San, meanwhile, faced wave upon wave of imperial guards and discovered that Xue Qinghe's strength was nearly at the level of a Soul Douluo—a far greater power than Tang San could hope to rival as a Soul Emperor.
At this critical juncture, Di Tian intervened, rescuing Tang San and engaging Qian Daoliu, who had arrived. Both tempered their strength during the clash—Qian Daoliu refrained from using his divine powers, while Di Tian held back his true black dragon form, making for a fierce yet restrained battle.
From dozens of miles away, Yang Potian sensed the powerful energies unleashed in the battle.
Yang Potian couldn't help but chuckle. "Who would've thought those two would end up fighting each other? Now, this is interesting." Concealing his soul power, he began stealthily moving toward the palace, intent on exploring amidst the chaos.
As the battle escalated, Xue Qinghe's forces gradually lost ground. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, having uncovered Xue Qinghe's true identity, quickly switched sides, fueled by their deep-seated hatred for the Spirit Hall. The Clear Sky Clan also began moving in to support.
Realizing the danger, Xue Qinghe accused the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan of treason, rallying the imperial guard and imperial-affiliated soul masters to eliminate the three major clans.
The ensuing battle was fierce, with countless casualties on both sides. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan suffered significant losses, but eventually, the fighting subsided as Qian Daoliu fled with Qian Renxue and a few soul masters, leaving Tian Dou City in ruins.
Afterward, the leaders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Clear Sky Clan, and Prince Xue Xing were left with grim expressions. The losses from this conflict seemed to fall solely on Tian Dou Empire's forces. The royal family's soul masters and imperial guard were nearly decimated, leaving the monarchy a hollow shell.
Both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan lost between one and two hundred men each, a devastating number given that each sect barely had six to seven hundred members—even with the recent addition of smaller affiliated families. The loss amounted to nearly one-sixth of their forces.
To make matters worse, the royal treasury had been thoroughly plundered, crippling any attempt to rebuild the imperial guard or soul master force. Reassembling either would require considerable funds—funds that the Empire no longer possessed.
The most pressing issue, however, was the matter of succession. Emperor Xue Ye was barely clinging to life, and with all potential heirs gone—the one surviving heir, the crown prince Xue Qinghe, had fled and been revealed as an impostor. That left only the young princess, Xue Ke, as a possible successor. But who would truly lead?
Prince Xue Xing, known for his questionable reputation and rocky relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, seemed ill-suited for the throne. If he ascended, there was a real risk that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might rebel entirely.
As the court debated, the choice ultimately fell to Emperor Xue Ye, who, despite being comatose, was the only figure with the authority to make such a decision. After examining him, it was determined that he could be revived, but only briefly, given that the poison was of a rare caliber—one that even the present medics struggled to counteract.
Tang San managed to concoct a medicinal solution that temporarily roused the Emperor. However, he estimated that Emperor Xue Ye would survive for no more than a week or two.
Upon regaining consciousness, Emperor Xue Ye was devastated by the sight of the palace in ruins, the bodies of fallen guards and royal soul masters, and the empty vaults of the treasury. Enraged, he could hardly process the devastation that had been wrought upon the Empire.
With the imperial forces in shambles and the royal soul masters wiped out, the Empire's defenses were severely compromised. Any offensive from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or the Clear Sky Clan would leave the royal family defenseless. Even more alarming was the looming threat of the Spirit Hall beyond the Empire's borders.
Now, the Empire's last recourse was Marshal Ge Long's million-strong army. But, with the treasury empty, the question remained—how could they sustain such a force without financial resources?
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