Douluo: Martial Soul Seven Kill Sword, The Sword Opens Heaven's Gates

After a lengthy discussion, Tang San and his group finally understood why the warehouse purchased by Tang Yuehua had been occupied by thugs.

When Governor Waltz was expropriating land, he had investigated the ownership of the warehouse district. However, because Tang Yuehua had done an excellent job of keeping her identity hidden, he found nothing.

To avoid delaying the land acquisition process, Waltz forcibly seized the land.

Later, after offending Dai Weisi, Waltz lost interest in handling official matters, and the land acquisition project came to a halt.

As for the thugs, they were a group of wandering refugees who, seeing that the warehouse area was unoccupied, claimed it as their own.

The common people, unaware of the intricate details, assumed that the thugs were placed there by Governor Waltz, which misled Tang San and his group.

"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, tomorrow I will arrange for my men to drive those thugs away and clear the land for you."

Pausing for a moment, Waltz said with some difficulty, "However, according to the Star Luo Empire's national policy, officials are explicitly forbidden from having any financial dealings with sects. Therefore, the construction of your sect must be handled entirely by yourselves—the governor's office cannot provide any monetary assistance."

This was within Tang San and his group's expectations.

After all, the internal layout of the sect's buildings required strict confidentiality. If Waltz were to oversee the construction, they wouldn't dare move in.

Tang San nodded in understanding.

However, he didn't want to let those thugs go to waste.

"The Tang Sect has just been established, and we have very few members. I hope those thugs can become affiliated members of the Tang Sect, doing odd jobs for us—it would make good use of them."

Waltz nodded without asking further questions about the matter.

After much discussion, Tang San eventually convinced Governor Waltz to purchase his hidden weapons.

But the annual military budget allocated to Annan Province by the imperial family was limited, so Waltz couldn't buy too many hidden weapons.

The order he provided would only leave the Tang Sect with a small surplus. To earn more money, Tang San would need to explore new markets.

Although Waltz was effectively the local ruler of Annan Province, his actions were still monitored by imperial inspectors, so he couldn't overstep certain boundaries.

He would do his best to conceal the existence of the Tang Sect but couldn't offer more substantial support.

At dawn, the two sides finalized many details.

After Waltz left, Tang San's expression hardened as he gave instructions: "Uncle, follow him and keep an eye on his movements."

It was possible that Waltz was setting them up with a sting operation. Revealing so many secrets to an outsider was inherently dangerous. If Waltz showed any signs of disloyalty, he couldn't be allowed to live!

Yu Xiaogang agreed with his decision. "After all, I've only just met him. It's always wise to be cautious. Additionally, Elder Tai Tan, you should inform your clansmen to be prepared to evacuate at any time."

"Killing a provincial governor would draw significant attention from the Star Luo imperial family. Our identities must not be exposed to them."

Tai Tan acknowledged the order.

Human hearts were unpredictable, and no one knew what Governor Waltz was truly thinking. Preparing for the worst was never a mistake.

---

After days of travel, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong returned to Tiandou City.

The two parted ways at the city gate. Ning Rongrong returned to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to report on their journey, while Ning Tianchen headed to the Sky Sword Sect.

With the assistance of the Defense Clan, the Breaking Clan, and the Speed Clan, the sect's buildings had risen rapidly. Towering structures reached toward the sky, and at the center stood a sword-shaped building—the core of the sect and its symbolic totem.

Currently, all the disciples of the three families had moved into the sect's premises, though some buildings' functions had yet to be assigned, awaiting Ning Tianchen's decisions.

Upon arriving at the sect's gates, the guards from the Defense Clan recognized Ning Tianchen and warmly escorted him to the main hall.

Upon hearing the news, Dugu Bo, Yang Wudi, and others hurried to the main hall.

Niu Gao happily reported on his work.

The construction of the sect's headquarters owed much to the efforts of the Defense Clan.

Ning Tianchen bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Elder Niu Gao, you've worked hard. On behalf of the sect, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to every disciple of the Defense Clan who contributed their labor."

"Lord Sect Leader, please rise."

Niu Gao quickly helped him up and smiled, saying, "Lord Sect Leader, we are all part of the sect. Contributing to its development is our duty."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ning Tianchen got down to business. "The three families of Feng, Shui, and Huo have decided to join the Sky Sword Sect. Elders, what are your thoughts?"

The heads of the Feng, Shui, and Huo families were all Soul Douluo-level experts, and upon joining the sect, they would automatically assume the position of elder.

Each additional elder would dilute the influence of Niu Gao and the others. For the stability of the sect, Ning Tianchen had to respect their opinions.

Surprisingly, the three did not oppose the inclusion of the three families—in fact, they welcomed it enthusiastically.

Yang Wudi laughed and said, "Lord Sect Leader, the industries of our various families do not conflict. Moreover, we gain a large piece of land in Element City for free."

Bai He added, "The stronger the sect becomes, the more influence we can wield on the continent. As members of the sect, we can also enjoy better lives."

Receiving such a response, Ning Tianchen felt reassured.

He said, "I'll leave it to the three elders to coordinate with the Feng, Shui, and Huo families. Later, I must return to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

"When all the elders have gathered, we will hold the sect's first meeting. Elders, prepare your respective requests in advance so we can discuss them collectively during the meeting."

Having settled matters with the Sky Sword Sect, Ning Tianchen had just stepped out of the sect when he encountered a servant from the palace.

Under the servant's guidance, Ning Tianchen made his way to the imperial study.

The Xue Qinghe before him appeared not to be Qian Renxue but rather a body double secretly trained by her.

Qian Renxue herself, disguised as a servant, followed closely behind Xue Qinghe.

"Lord Ning has arrived."

Xue Qinghe greeted him with a smile and then signaled the guards outside the study to seal off the room, preventing outsiders from approaching.

Once everything was in place, Qian Renxue sat in the main seat and began, "I've summoned you here because there's something very important that only you can assist with."

Ning Tianchen grew intrigued and asked, "What could be so important?"

After the palace coup, Qian Renxue could have returned to the Spirit Hall but had remained here because of this matter.

This alone underscored its importance.

Qian Renxue picked up a portrait from the desk and tossed it to Ning Tianchen.

The portrait depicted a peculiar-looking spirit-guided device.

As Ning Tianchen puzzled over it, Qian Renxue explained, "This item is called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, the Tiandou Empire's national treasure."

"It is merely a spirit-guided device of unknown purpose, yet the Tiandou Empire treasures it greatly. Initially, I scoured countless documents within the palace, but none mentioned it."

"Each emperor of the Tiandou Empire passed down its importance orally, but its actual use was never recorded."

So it was this!

Ning Tianchen's heart jolted.

It made sense—after the success of the palace coup, control of the Tiandou Empire fell into Qian Renxue's hands, including access to the empire's treasury.

During the inventory of resources, discovering the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would not have been difficult.

After a brief pause, Qian Renxue continued, "From my observations, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud seems to be a relic of a certain god. However, the Spirit Hall has its own beliefs, so I cannot touch it."

"This item is of great significance. I need you to safeguard it carefully and ensure it does not fall into enemy hands."

Hearing this, Ning Tianchen's mind became clear.

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was the Sea God's relic. Qian Renxue must have touched it to know so much about it.

And with the presence of the Xue Qinghe body double in the study, she couldn't speak of the god trials.

For Qian Renxue, allowing an enemy to birth a god out of thin air would undoubtedly cause trouble for herself.

However, Ning Tianchen had already undergone the god trial. Taking the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud now would inevitably provoke the Asura God.

For a moment, he was unsure whether to refuse or agree.

Returning it to allow Ouyang Siqi and the others to undergo the god trial wasn't something he hadn't considered.

But if the Asura God's trial and the Sea God's trial became linked, Ning Tianchen would have to travel to the Sea God Island.

Back when Tang Chen received the inheritance of the Asura God, it was likely that Bo Saixi wasn't unaware of it. Upon seeing the mark of the Asura God's trial on his forehead, Bo Saixi might have tampered with their trials.

In the original timeline, if Tang Chen hadn't appeared at the end, Bo Saixi would never have allowed Tang San to complete the final god trial.

Thus, Ning Tianchen didn't think obtaining the Sea God's trial was a good choice.

After a moment of silence, he mentally inquired with the Asura God for advice but received no response.

Seeing that he hadn't answered, Qian Renxue couldn't help but ask, "What are your thoughts?"

Ning Tianchen steeled himself and said, "Let's go take a look first."

---

With Xue Qinghe's imperial command medallion in hand, the two entered the Tiandou Empire's treasury without any obstacles.

The treasury was located within the palace, and its entrance was guarded by defensive spirit-guided devices. Without a special key, even a Title Douluo would find it difficult to break in.

Inside the Tiandou Empire's treasury were countless rare treasures collected by the imperial family.

"So many treasures—it's truly impressive," Ning Tianchen dryly chuckled.

Among the treasures, ancient books and calligraphy works made up the majority.

In the hands of those who didn't appreciate them, these treasures were nothing more than firewood, worthless. Only nobles with an appreciation for spiritual and cultural pursuits could fetch high prices for them.

Qian Renxue smiled faintly and said, "The imperial family's foundation runs much deeper. The treasury also holds a significant stockpile of spirit-guided devices, soul bones, and rare medicinal herbs."

However, after successfully completing the palace coup, she hadn't taken a single item from the treasury.

Compared to the treasures of the Spirit Hall, the items here were clearly insignificant.

After walking around, the two arrived at the deepest part of the treasury—the room where the empire's national treasures were stored.

The Tiandou Empire had a total of twenty national treasures. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud wasn't the only spirit-guided device among them; there were also several attack-type spirit-guided devices passed down from tens of thousands of years ago.

"The imperial treasury theoretically belongs to all members of the imperial family. To take away a national treasure requires an extremely complicated process—except for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."

Ning Tianchen's gaze shifted to a nearby soul bone.

After being stored for a long time, some of the soul power contained within the soul bone had dissipated. However, judging by its aura, it was likely a ninety-thousand-year soul bone.

This wasn't surprising—all the soul bones on the continent were mostly in the hands of major powers.

Just like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—they'd rather let soul bones rot in their treasury than put them up for auction.

Turning his attention to the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in front of him, Ning Tianchen reached out to touch it.

Qian Renxue grabbed his arm. "Be careful—I'm not sure how it activates. If possible, avoid any contact with it."

After some thought, Ning Tianchen lightly brushed his finger over the spirit-guided device, and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was absorbed into it.

At the same time, his heart raced.

If the Asura God showed any signs of displeasure, he would immediately return it.

He waited for a while until they left the treasury. The Asura God gave no response, and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud inside the spirit-guided device remained stable.

With the task completed, Ning Tianchen had no reason to stay. Together with Qian Renxue, he left the palace.

Before parting ways, Qian Renxue said, "I'll be leaving tonight. Heh, your strength has surprised me. I think if I don't work harder on my cultivation, you might surpass me soon."

Ning Tianchen calmly replied, "You've been distracted by things you shouldn't worry about."

With her innate talent of starting at level twenty soul power, if she had received Qian Daoliu's full support since childhood, who on the continent would dare to call themselves a genius?

"There are no 'ifs' in life."

Qian Renxue shook her head and continued, "After I leave, someone will remain here to stay in contact with you. I hope our cooperation can continue. If anything bad happens in the future, we must maintain communication to avoid misunderstandings."

Ning Tianchen nodded.

Her words indicated that she had seen through Bibi Dong's ambitions.

This statement was merely a precaution, meant to clarify that her stance differed from Bibi Dong's.

However, in Ning Tianchen's eyes, this situation was both tragic and laughable.

A mother and son, now enemies.

And yet, this mother and son possessed the power to shake the entire continent.

---

Over the next few days, Ning Tianchen assisted the Feng, Shui, and Huo families in relocating their clans to the Sky Sword Sect.

The feud between the Feng, Shui, and Huo families and the Elephant Armor Sect had now shifted onto the Sky Sword Sect.

For the Sky Sword Sect to fully absorb Element City, gifted by the three families, it would inevitably lead to a direct confrontation with the Elephant Armor Sect.

That night, as the relocation work was completed, an internal meeting was held within the Sky Sword Sect.

This meeting wasn't an official sect gathering but a special session to discuss how to handle Element City.

Those in attendance included Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong, the sect's honored elder Dugu Bo, the heads of the six families (the six elders), Shadow Guard Zhao Wuji, Zhang Erhe, and Tian Yu, a future leader of the sect's chamber of commerce.

Tian Yu spoke first. "Lord Sect Leader, the sect's chamber of commerce needs to build a new headquarters. The commercial system within Element City is complete and holds more development potential than the streets where the sect is currently located. What do you think?"

Separating the chamber of commerce's headquarters from the sect's main headquarters would allow for more efficient problem-solving.

Thus, it was inevitable that the Sky Sword Sect would establish a new chamber of commerce headquarters.

Tian Yu was originally a chamber of commerce president developed by the Shadow Guards. Due to his exceptional business acumen, he was recommended by Zhao Wuji and Zhang Erhe to become the future president of the sect's chamber of commerce, earning him a position among the elders.

With his keen business sense, establishing the chamber of commerce headquarters in Element City was undoubtedly the right move.

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