Reincarnated as the Death Spider Queen, sacrificing Bibi Dong at the start

“Bibi Dong even secretly hoped in her heart… that Qian Renxue, after learning all the truth and evil, would be able to grasp the angelic holy sword that represents light, stand righteously against her, and personally seek revenge on her filthy mother.”

"What a great mother's love! If I hadn't been attacked too, I would have been moved."

Chapter 225 Ning Fengzhi: As long as my blood pressure rises fast enough, worries can't catch up with me.

……

On the other side of Purple Pearl Island, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were silently observing the construction of this harbor city along the newly built wide seawall.

Compared to the desolate state they saw when they inspected the island six months ago, Purple Pearl Island has undergone tremendous changes.

Flat and clean streets crisscross the landscape, huge cargo docks have been completed, and rows of giant warehouses and defensive towers have sprung up.

Most of the island's infrastructure has been completed and is ready to begin large-scale operations at any time.

Facing the slightly salty sea breeze, Ning Fengzhi looked at the miraculous new city on the sea before him, but his eyes did not show much ease; instead, a deep worry appeared.

"Fengzhi, what's wrong?" Gu Rong keenly noticed Ning Fengzhi's change in mood and asked, "This island is built far better than we expected. Once it officially opens to navigation, the daily revenue will be astronomical. Isn't that a good thing?"

"It's a good thing, but it also comes with a thorny problem."

Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. "Purple Pearl Island has been built into such a massive super trade hub. Its appetite is too big. If it is only used for trade operations within our Heaven Dou Empire, it would be a waste of its potential and a squandering of its resources for the sake of the port's throughput."

"To maximize profits, this island will definitely extend its reach to the Star Luo Empire and establish trade routes with them."

Gu Rong nodded: "That's for sure. The Star Luo Empire is martial, and it has many scarce resources and minerals that we in Tian Dou don't have. Once we open up the trade triangle between the two empires and overseas, Purple Pearl Island will be a treasure trove."

“But, Uncle Bone, once the Star Luo Empire is really involved, the cooperation between our Heaven Dou Empire and Seagod Island will become even more complicated.”

Ning Fengzhi sighed, "Even if the main function of this island is economic trade on the surface, you should know that the economy and politics are never separate. Once political agreements are broken and positions diverge, the wheels of the economy will not turn smoothly."

Gu Rong pondered for a moment, then said, "Those people from the Star Luo Empire have always been domineering and difficult to deal with. However, we shouldn't need to worry too much about this, right? Since that Demon God Douluo dares to set up such a large operation, with his unfathomable cunning, he should be able to find a way to deal with the Star Luo royal family on his own."

"Uncle Bone, I'm not worried about whether he has the ability to do it, I'm worried about the methods he will use to do it... and the timing!"

Ning Fengzhi's eyes became incredibly sharp: "Don't forget, the early development of this Purple Pearl Island, whether it was the massive amount of manpower and resources, or the money poured in like water, was all fully supported by our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Heavenly Dou Royal Family!"

"If we take on all the initial risks, and now that the cake is just baked and ready to be cut, that Demon God Douluo is in a hurry to pull the Star Luo Empire into the fray to get a share... that would definitely not be a worthwhile deal for our Heaven Dou Empire!"

Ning Fengzhi tightened his grip on the scepter. "According to the original plan and calculations of His Majesty and me, after the island is completed, it will need to operate stably for at least another five or six years under the exclusive support of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"We must wait until our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the royal family have taken advantage of the five or six-year time difference to secure most of the core interests and completely stabilize their position before we can reluctantly allow the Star Luo Empire to enter the game."

"Only by creating this time difference can we maintain our initiative and advantageous position in this cross-sea cooperation that involves the entire continent."

"Otherwise, if we rashly bring in the Star Luo Empire, this hungry wolf, before we have a firm foothold, the situation could easily turn into a 'when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits' scenario!"

"Both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire are currently facing immense pressure from the ever-expanding Spirit Hall. And the only one on this continent who can truly help us resist the Spirit Hall with top-tier combat power is the Demon God Douluo, who is backed by Seagod Island!"

"If the Star Luo Empire enters the game at this critical juncture, and if Seagod Island adopts a 'wait-and-see' mentality, sitting in the middle watching our two great empires tear each other apart and bid against each other for their protection and trade share..."

Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath and looked at the distant horizon: "If it really comes to that, the Heavenly Dou Empire, which originally had the advantage of the first move, will be in a very unfavorable situation!"

Hearing Ning Fengzhi's worried analysis, Gu Rong frowned and said hesitantly, "Seagod Island... surely wouldn't be so unethical?"

"To facilitate this cooperation spanning the vast ocean, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Heaven Dou Royal Family invested so much manpower and resources, even taking the enormous initial risk of angering the Spirit Hall, just to lay a solid foundation for this island. Now that the situation is largely settled, do you think Seagod Island would turn around and betray us?"

"Uncle Bone, when it comes to interests large enough to topple an empire, how can there be so much morality to speak of?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly. "From the perspective of Seagod Island's interests, 'waiting for the best price' is the smartest thing for them. After all, even if Seagod Island really did that and forcibly dragged the Star Luo Empire onto the table, with Seagod Island's unfathomable foundation and strength, what can we, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Heaven Dou Royal Family, do but grit our teeth and accept it?"

Gu Rong clicked his tongue, thought for a moment, and said, "Since the situation is so passive, Feng Zhi, why don't you just go and have an open and honest talk with that Demon God Douluo about this matter?"

"Since everyone in this world is driven by profit, perhaps we can make significant concessions on profit sharing or privileges by taking the initiative to offer substantial benefits. By doing so, we can secure enough exclusive space and time for the Heavenly Dou Empire in this cooperation."

“This is precisely the fundamental purpose of my voyage.” Ning Fengzhi sighed. “The old emperor sent me here personally to lead the team so that I could sound out his intentions and finalize this matter.”

"But the problem now is..." Ning Fengzhi gave a bitter smile, "Before coming here, I had already mentally rehearsed countless negotiation tactics and bargaining chips based on that little girl-like 'Demon God Douluo' and her decisive and efficient style. But what about now?"

"The one sitting in that main seat now is the real, adult version of the 'Demon God Douluo' who is in power! I know nothing about his personality, preferences, logic, or even his deep and unfathomable cunning! How can I talk to him?"

Ning Fengzhi looked towards the Presidential Palace, a deep sense of apprehension flashing in his eyes: "I even suspect that Seagod Island had already guessed that we had the idea of ​​'monopolizing the benefits,' so they deliberately changed people at this critical juncture to disrupt all our negotiation plans!"

Watching the sunset gradually sink below the horizon, turning half the sky blood red, Gu Rong patted Ning Fengzhi on the shoulder and comforted him, "Fengzhi, there's no use standing here worrying now. Let's go back first, take it one step at a time, and see if we can find an opportunity to maneuver in the next few days."

"If the other party is really tough and insists on bringing the Star Luo Empire into the game... then we can only accept our bad luck and bear it."

Ning Fengzhi nodded silently, sorted out his chaotic thoughts, and then turned and walked with Gu Rong toward the royal family's exclusive VIP reception area.

However, as soon as the two stepped into the reception hall, Ning Fengzhi abruptly stopped.

He keenly sensed the extremely strange, even tense, atmosphere in the hall.

Beside the large dining table, the First Prince Xue Qinghe had returned and was sitting quietly drinking tea, his expression as usual.

But opposite him, the Second Prince Xue Luochuan and the Third Prince Xue Haicang were staring intently at their usually gentle and refined elder brother with extremely cold, even undisguised, intense hostility and jealousy.

The air in the entire hall seemed to freeze, and even the servants standing nearby were trembling with fear, not daring to breathe.

Ning Fengzhi's composure froze instantly, and he felt an inexplicable anger rush to his head, his blood pressure soaring wildly.

what is happening? !

He'd only been gone a short while inspecting the harbor, and how did these three princes suddenly become such bitter enemies, practically wanting to tear each other apart?!

What kind of trouble have these little devils gotten into this time?!

Chapter 226 I was only gone for a short while, and you ruined the nation's destiny?

……

Ning Fengzhi took two deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the raging anger in his heart, barely maintaining the dignity and composure of a sect leader. He slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, and asked in a low voice, "What's going on? The atmosphere is so tense, did the princes quarrel?"

Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong return, the three princes immediately stood up and bowed.

"Sect Leader Ning, you misunderstand. How could we brothers quarrel?" Second Prince Xue Luochuan spoke first, but his tone was tinged with a sour, sarcastic tone. "It's just that the First Prince's decisive actions just now were truly unexpected. It's only been two days since we arrived on the island, and my elder brother has already secretly contacted that Demon God without anyone noticing."

The Third Prince, Xue Haicang, standing to the side, let out an undisguised sneer, his eyes filled with jealousy and mockery: "My good brother here is indeed a man of hidden talent! He's only just arrived, yet he's already attracted the attention of that Sea God Island's Sea Maiden Douluo, who personally came to invite him out, and the two of them spent half a day flirting alone! What, could it be that my brother has taken a fancy to that mermaid and wants to become a live-in son-in-law for her Sea God Island?"

“But brother, I must remind you of something.” Xue Haicang’s eyes turned cold, revealing his true intentions. “If you really have the idea of ​​marrying such a half-beast, half-human alien… then you’ll have to give up the position of Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. After all, our Heaven Dou royal family can’t afford to lose face like that!”

Faced with his two younger brothers' blunt, barbed hostility and framing, Xue Qinghe gave a bitter smile, appearing particularly helpless.

"Second brother, third brother, you have really misunderstood." Xue Qinghe turned to Ning Fengzhi and explained sincerely, "At lunchtime today, that Sea Maiden Douluo suddenly approached me, saying that His Majesty the Demon God had something to ask me privately. As a representative of the royal family, I naturally dared not refuse."

"But after I followed her, the Demon God didn't actually say anything particularly secretive. He simply asked if our journey had been smooth."

Xue Qinghe paused for a moment, then continued, "His Majesty meant that traveling from Tiandou City to this isolated overseas island was not only a long and arduous journey, but the land journey alone took a month. In addition, the sea was unpredictable, and the situation on the mainland was so tense. He was worried that the Spirit Hall, after receiving the news, would not be able to resist sending people to secretly attack our fleet. That's why he asked me to go and carefully question the details of the journey."

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and he nodded: "I see, Your Majesty the Demon God is also acting out of safety considerations."

"Our trip here was indeed a large-scale undertaking, taking nearly a month. Although this distance spanning half a continent is only a few days' journey for a Title Douluo, it was extremely troublesome for the massive army protecting you core members of the royal family to march and deploy."

Ning Fengzhi sighed, "The formal assembly and departure of the Imperial Guards alone took more than a month, and the preliminary preparations began more than three months ago. With such a large commotion, it's impossible for the Spirit Hall not to notice, so it's normal for Your Majesty to have some concerns."

However, the second and third princes clearly did not accept this explanation at all.

"Sect Master Ning, you are too easily swayed by him!" Second Prince Xue Luochuan retorted indignantly. "These trivial matters concerning the itinerary and safety could have been easily answered by any of the demon gods simply sending someone to the port to inquire, or directly asking the guards and generals. Why did they have to send a Saint Pillar Douluo to invite my elder brother over?"

"What's more!" Xue Luochuan pointed at Xue Qinghe and questioned aggressively, "Big brother was gone for almost two hours before returning! A lone man and woman, plus an unfathomable demon god, for two whole hours, did you really only talk about these trivial matters?!"

The Third Prince, Xue Haicang, immediately chimed in, his tone icy: "That's right! If you still covet the rightful position of Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dou Clan, then you'd better keep your distance from that Mermaid Douluo! Otherwise, once the scandal of your secret affair with a foreign race gets out... even if Father Emperor wanted to give you the position of Crown Prince, the entire court would absolutely not dare to agree!"

"Enough!!"

Listening to the two princes attacking each other without restraint and making sarcastic remarks in their struggle for power, Ning Fengzhi's already agitated mood due to the situation on Seagod Island plummeted to rock bottom and he finally exploded!

"Do you even realize how critical the situation has become?!" Ning Fengzhi slammed his scepter heavily on the ground, making a dull thud, and roared angrily, "We are here representing the Heavenly Dou Empire to conduct life-or-death negotiations with Seagod Island! As princes, instead of thinking about how to share the burden of the country and how to stabilize the situation, you're actually here fighting over those laughable vanities, bickering among your brothers?!"

"Do you even know why you're here?! Are you here to embarrass yourselves?!"

Startled by Ning Fengzhi's thunderous rebuke, the Second Prince and the Third Prince trembled in fear. Their arrogant demeanor was instantly extinguished, and they quickly lowered their heads, their faces pale, not daring to utter another word.

The hall was deathly silent.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He turned to Xue Qinghe and asked in a serious tone, "Your Highness Qinghe, tell me the truth, besides inquiring about the itinerary, did His Majesty the Demon God... reveal any other intentions?"

Xue Qinghe glanced at his two younger brothers, who were bowing their heads and remaining silent, then looked at Ning Fengzhi. A look of extreme difficulty and hesitation appeared on his face as he hesitated to speak.

"Your Highness, please speak freely." Ning Fengzhi's heart sank; his intuition told him that something must have happened. "There are only a few of us here, all working for the Heavenly Dou Empire. There shouldn't be any secrets we can't tell, right?"

Xue Qinghe seemed to have made a great decision before gritting his teeth and lowering his voice: "Sect Master Ning... the reason I went for so long was actually because of... that Sea Maiden Douluo."

"That titled Douluo of the Mermaid Clan possesses an extremely rare and terrifying talent—called 'mind reading'."

Upon hearing this, everyone present, including Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, had their expressions change drastically, and their pupils contracted to their maximum size!

"Mind reading?!" Gu Rong exclaimed in shock, even instinctively taking half a step back, feeling a chill run from his spine straight to his head.

Xue Qinghe nodded with a wry smile, glancing at his two younger brothers beside him with an extremely complicated look: "Yes, mind reading. That Sea Maiden Douluo can not only hear what people are thinking, but can even peer into their subconscious."

"She told me herself... that when we first met in the lobby yesterday, she saw clearly all your reactions, calculations, and even... some of your most disgusting and sordid thoughts!"

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, his tone filled with helplessness and exhaustion: "And the reason she bypassed Sect Leader Ning this afternoon and came to see me alone... is also because..."

Xue Qinghe didn't continue speaking, but the meaning behind his words was already crystal clear.

Because only Xue Qinghe's mind is still pure!

Ning Fengzhi's breathing almost stopped.

He suddenly turned his head and stared intently at the two princes beside him, who were already pale with fright and sweating profusely.

A female warrior with mind-reading abilities?!

Doesn't that mean that all those idiots' clever schemes yesterday, especially the Third Prince's unbridled, extremely offensive, lewd gaze at the sea maiden and Xiaobai, and all those filthy thoughts in his mind... were heard and clearly understood by everyone?!

Ning Fengzhi felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and his body swayed involuntarily.

Just yesterday, he naively thought that the Second Prince's interruption and the Third Prince's rude stare would at most leave the other party with a bad impression of "the royal family lacking discipline," and that he could find an opportunity to make amends later.

But now it seems... this is more than just a bad impression!

In front of two Title Douluos, he was secretly plotting how to capture them and use them as playthings...

This isn't just the end; it's completely blocking the path of the Heavenly Dou Empire to Seagod Island!

Chapter 227 This generation of princes only managed to level up their main character; their secondary characters are all useless.

……

The atmosphere in the hall became extremely oppressive at that moment, as if the air had frozen into ice, making it hard to breathe.