Descending from the Bone Dragon, the group entered Heaven Dou City and soon arrived at its most bustling streets.
The prosperous district had been cordoned off by the Heaven Dou authorities, devoid of its usual hustle and bustle. The areas affected by the battle, along with the surrounding zones, had been cleared out, leaving behind only collapsed buildings and an eerie silence.
"Halt!"
A man clad in armor blocked Ning Fengzhi and the others.
Before the soldier could speak, Ning Fengzhi handed him a token. Upon receiving it, the soldier's pupils contracted. He quickly returned the token and apologized:
"My deepest apologies, Sect Master Ning. His Majesty's orders require us to guard this area."
As an ordinary soldier, he didn't recognize a figure as prominent as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master, nor was he familiar with his appearance. However, the intricate engravings on the token made him realize who stood before him.
Ning Fengzhi was the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Tutor, a household name.
"No need for apologies. You've done well," Ning Fengzhi said. "This lady beside me is Tang Yuehua, the founder of the Moon Pavilion. We'd like to inspect the situation inside. Please grant us passage."
"You flatter me," the armored man replied hastily, stepping aside and waving for his subordinates to clear the way.
The group made their way to the Moon Pavilion with ease.
Though the area had been cleaned up, the collapsed walls and structures bore witness to the fierce battle that had taken place.
Tang Yuehua stared blankly at the ruins of her "life's work," while Ning Fengzhi inquired about the casualties from the nearby soldiers.
He learned that, aside from Princess Xue Ke, who had miraculously survived, all the residents within several kilometers—including the Moon Pavilion's staff and the nobles present that day—had perished.
After regaining her composure, Tang Yuehua was informed of the details by Ning Fengzhi.
"Xue Ke is still alive..."
Tang Yuehua wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Sect Master Ning, could you take me to the palace? I wish to see Xue Ke."
"Of course," Ning Fengzhi agreed. As Xue Ke's teacher—even if only for etiquette lessons—Tang Yuehua had shared a two-and-a-half-year bond with her. It was only natural that she accompany them to meet Xue Qinghe.
Thus, the group set off for the imperial palace.
Thanks to Ning Fengzhi's status, they encountered no obstacles and entered the palace unimpeded.
In the inner palace, Ning Fengzhi encountered Zi Ji, a woman with a mature, elder-sister appearance, clad in a violet dress.
"Lady Zi Ji, we've come to see His Majesty. May we..."
"Follow me."
Before Ning Fengzhi could finish, Zi Ji nodded and led them to Xue Qinghe's private quarters.
Xue Qinghe had been waiting at the entrance.
Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi, he bowed deeply.
"Teacher, I must trouble you with this matter."
The sight of Xue Qinghe's formal bow sent a pang of unease through Ning Fengzhi's heart, though he quickly steadied himself.
Ning Fengzhi was puzzled as to why Xue Qinghe seemed so deeply concerned about Xue Ke.
Ah, these young people…
I truly don't understand them!
Before long, the group arrived at the bedside of the unconscious Xue Ke.
"Teacher, please examine her condition," Xue Qinghe said, stepping aside to make room.
Sighing, Ning Fengzhi summoned his Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Once a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master reached the Seven Treasure Realm, they gained some healing capabilities.
And Ning Fengzhi had now advanced to the Eight Treasure Realm.
After hovering over Xue Ke for a while, the pagoda returned to his hand.
"Teacher, how is she?" Xue Qinghe asked urgently.
"Her injuries aren't life-threatening, but the peculiar energy invading her organs is beyond my ability to treat."
Given Xue Ke's condition, she should have died long ago.
Yet she lingered in a deathlike state, as if someone had pulled her back from the brink at the last moment.
"Senior Renxin, Elder Dugu, please take a look as well."
As the sect master, Ning Fengzhi deferred to the two medical experts beside him.
After he stepped back, Dugu Bo stepped forward to examine Xue Ke.
Moments later, he shook his head, arriving at the same conclusion as Ning Fengzhi.
Next was Ye Renxin, wielding the Nine Heart Begonia.
As petals resembling begonia flowers drifted down, a soft glow enveloped Xue Ke, illuminating the entire room in a warm, radiant light that comforted everyone present.
After a while, the light faded.
The Nine Heart Begonia returned to Ye Renxin's hand, and he shook his head.
"Your Majesty, Princess Xue Ke's internal injuries are too severe, and too much time has passed. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do."
Even the Nine Heart Begonia had its limits. While it was said to revive the dead and regenerate flesh, that was merely an exaggeration.
Against the strange, cold energy entrenched in Xue Ke's organs, leaving her neither alive nor dead, it was powerless.
Without expelling that energy, healing was impossible.
"Damn it!"
Xue Qinghe punched the nearby wall, his face twisting in fury. "Who would dare target Xue Ke like this?"
His gaze instinctively shifted to the quiet Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong, do you have any ideas?"
Silence. A long silence.
Finally, Ning Rongrong spoke.
"The energy invading Xue Ke's body is a mix of resentment and killing intent. Given how long it's been, the only possible solution..."
"Legend says that when a martial soul mutates, the soul power within the body undergoes a complete purification. If such a transformation could be triggered, it might cleanse the killing intent from her organs."
"But this is just something Tokisaki Kurumi mentioned. I'm not sure if it's actually possible."
Ning Rongrong could tell Xue Qinghe genuinely wanted to save Xue Ke—this wasn't an act.
But triggering a martial soul evolution? That was easier said than done.
Even her two brothers, after consuming countless spirit herbs and immortal treasures, had failed to add even a single layer to their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagodas.
Realistically, Xue Ke was beyond saving.
Ning Rongrong also sensed a familiar energy emanating from a ten-thousand-year soul bone within Xue Ke's body.
It resembled the soul bone she had given Dugu Bo to repay a favor—one of the two soul bones obtained from Tang Hao's trade.
A sacred-type defensive soul bone.
"Martial soul mutation?"
Xue Qinghe's expression flickered with surprise before settling into grim silence.
Setting aside whether Ning Rongrong was misleading him, triggering a martial soul mutation was no simple feat. Even if successful, most mutations were positive.
Cases like that self-proclaimed "Grandmaster" were exceptions—likely not due to the martial soul's inferiority, but the person's own inadequacy.
After discussing Xue Ke's condition in detail, Ning Rongrong and Ning Fengzhi's group departed.
Tang Yuehua, however, requested to stay in the palace to care for Xue Ke and learn more about the incident.
Xue Qinghe didn't refuse.
After all, she was the former sect master of the Clear Sky Sect's daughter. She might prove useful someday.