Growing up in a great clan, Dugu Feng understood one thing very well. That families often placed bets on both sides.
Perhaps Yang Wushuang joining Spirit Hall had been done with Yang Wudi's silent approval.
For the survival of the clan, one brother could side with Spirit Hall's enemies and ally with Clear Sky, while the other joined Spirit Hall.
No matter which side won, the clan would continue its legacy.
That was why Dugu Feng did not rush to contact the Breaking Clan.
Better to stir the waters muddier.
And he would use more forces to act.
His eyes lit up. This was Heaven Dou City, the Dugu Clan's own territory.
After his thoughts cleared, he ordered, "The Nine Heavens Centipede soul masters are to remain hidden. This time, you will not act."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Old Nine was not surprised. Unless the clan's survival was on the line, or they needed to intimidate other powers, they rarely revealed themselves.
"One more thing. This time, I intend to make a big move. Keep close watch on the palace and the Spirit Hall's temple. See if you can find where Spirit Hall's stronghold is.
There is a titled Douluo with a poison attribute in Spirit Hall and that one is the greatest threat to our clan.
Be careful.
Just confirm where traffic is most frequent. Later, we'll narrow them down."
Dugu Feng's gaze grew sharp. Back when Qian Renxue seized the throne, she had drawn three thousand spirit masters from Spirit Hall.
There was no way they had been "temporarily deployed."
If she had been impersonating Xue Qinghe for so many years, she must have been secretly expanding her forces, even converting some Spirit Hall members into Heaven Dou identities.
Perhaps even cooperating with certain clans to establish hidden bases in the capital.
One day, they would inevitably clash. And he would never fight an uncertain battle.
With chaos in Heaven Dou City, Spirit Hall's people were bound to slip up.
After arranging everything, Dugu Feng returned to the family manor.
Inside the council hall, he waited until Old Snake and Old Scorpion arrived.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on absorbing your third ring and stepping into Soul Sovereign! Your level is almost catching up to my boy already!"
Old Snake began flattering the moment he stepped in.
Dugu Feng chuckled. "Little Snake is level thirty-three now. At his speed, he's comparable to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy prodigies. You must be feeling proud."
Little Snake was of an age with Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng was level thirty-six, Dugu Yan level thirty-five, while Little Snake lagged only two levels behind.
Compared to the protagonist group with their immortal herbs, this was not much, but by normal standards, he was a true talent.
His progress was mostly due to relentless effort.
His life was even more monotonous than Dugu Feng's, nothing but cultivation.
And after Dugu Feng detoxified him twice, reducing the danger of outbreaks, he threw himself into training like a madman.
Old Snake laughed proudly.
"Old Snake, you'll come with me to visit the Ge Clan. And also Prince Xue Xing.
Old Scorpion, go inform Uncle Ye. We'll need his help in the coming days."
Both nodded and left to carry out the orders.
Dugu Feng wanted to speak directly with General Ge Long.
But such meetings could only happen formally, usually at night when Ge Long returned home. A family visit required a proper post of respect.
Old Snake quickly arranged a meeting with Prince Xue Xing first.
That afternoon, Dugu Feng arrived at the prince's residence.
He had seen Prince Xue Xing several times before, when his father had been called to the palace for poison inspections, so the two were familiar.
"Nephew, welcome! Forgive me for not greeting you from afar. Come, sit, have tea!"
The prince received him warmly, ushering him into the main hall.
They sat.
Dugu Feng spoke plainly, "Your Highness, I've come about the two tragic cases in the palace."
Prince Xue Xing's expression stiffened. "Have you discovered something?"
The deaths of the second and third princes, it was something Emperor Xue Ye himself had commanded him to investigate.
But the poison had been too subtle. He only suspected Xue Qinghe, but with no evidence at all.
Dugu Feng smiled calmly. "To use poison so flawlessly, there are only a handful on the continent capable of this.
There's no need to chase evidence. Anyone with the strength to use such poison could be the culprit.
And following that line, I did find the true murderer."
Prince Xue Xing's mouth twitched. For someone so young, his tone was domineering.
By that logic, wasn't the Dugu Clan the most suspicious?
Still, he knew Dugu Feng was heir to the clan, a top genius. He would not speak recklessly.
So he listened further.
"To poison, you must first have poison. The clan scoured every apothecary and supplier around Heaven Dou City.
Finally, we uncovered a shop whose true master was Yang Wushuang.
A poison expert, hiding in the capital, what does that mean to you?"
Dugu Feng sipped his tea calmly.
Prince Xue Xing's face grew grave.
Yang Wushuang was rumored to have defected to Spirit Hall.
At the Soto City council of the six clans, Prince Xue Xing had learned the details afterward.
It was likely Yang Wushuang who had first poisoned Ge Ying.
Then Ghost Douluo appeared.
It was almost certain proof, that Yang Wushuang was indeed with Spirit Hall.
If he was hiding here in Heaven Dou, then yes, the princes' deaths were likely his doing.
But behind Yang Wushuang stood Spirit Hall.
The prince's heart grew heavy.
So—the Dugu Clan wanted to act against Yang Wushuang?
"The Four Single-Attribute Clans' gathering is being held now, hosted by the Strength Clan. Yang Wudi himself will be present.
I intend to gather forces and assist him in eliminating the traitor of his clan. What does Your Highness think?"
Assist—or coerce?
Prince Xue Xing found himself admiring Dugu Feng.
If this plan truly came from him, then the next generation of the Dugu Clan was destined to rise.
"Our empire survives only with the support of its spirit master clans.
Since you already have a plan, Nephew, I will give you my full cooperation."
His voice was resolute.
Hearing this, Dugu Feng laid out his entire scheme.
The more Prince Xue Xing listened, the more exhilarated he became.
The Heaven Dou Empire had to show its strength.
Two princes poisoned, no culprit caught, it had been a humiliation!
For two hours they discussed the details, finalizing every step.
Afterward, Dugu Feng left the prince's residence and went on to the Ge Clan.
That too was smooth and Ge Long readily agreed.
By nightfall, Dugu Feng returned home, meeting with Old Snake and Old Scorpion to refine the plan.
Only then did he relax.
The Four Single-Attribute Clans were vassals of the Clear Sky Sect.
By striking now, he was also offering an answer to the King of Slaughter.