"Old Scorpion, keep your eyes on Yang Wushuang. Keep releasing toxins."
Dugu Feng's voice was quiet, yet sharp.
Both Old Scorpion and Old Snake had mastered the third stage of poison release, where every pore of their bodies could release venom, striking silently and invisibly.
If the Dugu Clan wanted Yang Wushuang dead, they could do it themselves.
But Dugu Feng had deliberately stirred the waters, drawing so many forces into action, and pushing the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans to cleanse their own bloodline.
The true goal was to shift Spirit Hall's gaze, to craft an illusion of Heaven Dou Empire standing united.
But at the root of it all, Yang Wushuang had to die quickly!
The longer he lived, the greater the variables, the greater the danger.
Finally, several roars rang out. Another group charged into the battlefield.
Tai Tan, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi had arrived.
"Yang Wushuang, you traitor! Today, the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans cleanse their household!"
Tai Tan's body swelled into the Great Strength Gorilla. His massive frame expanded to several meters tall, arms stretching down to his knees, black hair covering his body in a mantle of brute force.
Niu Gao and Bai He likewise unleashed their Martial Soul True Bodies.
Yang Wudi's eyes glinted darkly as he dashed straight in.
"Each serves his own master. Don't blame me."
He uttered only eight words as he closed in on Yang Wushuang.
Yang Wushuang's figure bore resemblance to Yang Wudi, both tall and lean, eyes cold and vicious.
Looking at his brother and the circle of enemies around him, despair flashed across Yang Wushuang's face.
Yang Wudi's strength far surpassed his own. There was no escape.
And those words—each serves his own master—how could Yang Wushuang not understand?
After the Clear Sky Clan sealed its gates, in order to preserve their bloodline, he had suggested joining Spirit Hall.
He still remembered what his elder brother had told him then:
"Once you join Spirit Hall, you belong to them. Be loyal. If we meet again, we'll be enemies...each relying on our own strength.
If you waver, if you join only out of fear of death, the Clear Sky Clan will brand you a traitor, and Spirit Hall will discard you."
He had understood then that true double-betting meant true loyalty to one's choice. Each would walk their path.
"May you expand the Breaking Clan's name under Spirit Hall."
That had been his brother's final blessing.
One went to Spirit City, the other to the Star Luo Empire.
Each for his own master.
Yang Wushuang had remembered those words. After joining Spirit Hall, he handed over every secret of the Breaking Clan and Clear Sky Clan, earning Qian Renxue's trust.
Otherwise, how could she have let him be part of her most guarded plan—the secret usurpation of the Heaven Dou throne?
But never had he thought they would meet again so soon—only now, they were true enemies.
"Each for his own master!"
His eyes swept the battlefield. When they fell on Xue Qinghe within the crowd, he saw only calm indifference.
Deep in Qian Renxue's great cause, he instantly understood. She had no intention of exposing herself here.
And the enemy's preparations were thorough, their power overwhelming.
There was nowhere to run.
"If you want my life, come take it!"
Yang Wushuang bellowed.
He erupted in full force.
The spear glow of the Breaking Spear radiated a cutting aura so sharp that every soldier's lance around him clanged in resonance.
Gun intent surged, fierce and unyielding.
He charged wildly.
But against so many, he was swiftly overwhelmed.
And then, a spear glow even sharper than his own pierced his chest.
With a thunderous crash, Yang Wushuang toppled.
In the next instant, toxins within his body ignited.
Within mere seconds, flesh dissolved away, leaving nothing but withered bone.
Yang Wushuang was dead!
The battlefield fell silent.
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered with both sorrow and fury, only for resolve to harden over it.
Yang Wushuang had been loyal. But with the situation as it was, even she could not save him.
The fact that Prince Xue Xing had united so many forces in secrecy to accomplish this proved one thing! Her grip on Heaven Dou was far weaker than she had thought.
Her heart chilled. She needed to accelerate her plan.
"Yang Wushuang lurked in Heaven Dou City for years, endangering the royal family. For Clan Leader Yang to slay kin in the name of justice, from this day forth, he is a friend to Heaven Dou."
Prince Xue Xing stood tall, smugness radiating off him.
At last, the poisonous thorn was plucked. His two nephews avenged.
Satisfaction filled his chest.
Yang Wudi inclined his head, his eyes heavy with gloom and a faint sting of grief.
The day had come too quickly. He had not been ready but reality was merciless.
With the battle concluded, Ye Qingxin activated her Nine-Hearted Begonia, sending threads of healing light to mend the wounds of the soul masters who had fought.
Beside her stood Ye Lengleng, face veiled. She had been brought along today as well.
Her eyes darted toward Dugu Feng.
The Dugu Clan was vicious and ruthless.
This matter, Ye Qingxin hadn't hidden from her. Behind it all, the Dugu Clan's hand was undeniable.
If Yan Yan insisted on opposing this Dugu Feng, she would suffer for it sooner or later.
No! she already had.
Ye Lengleng sighed inwardly. Better if Yan Yan abandoned her stubbornness. After all, the two of them were still bound by blood as cousins, so why fight so hard?
Her gaze, though fleeting, was noticed by Dugu Feng.
This clan resembled the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Support spirits only.
Which meant they had to cling to strength. Even the most basic task of hunting spirit rings required combat support.
But their flaw was worse. Only two Nine-Hearted Begonia spirits could exist in a generation.
That limitation kept them from ever rising into a true great clan.
Most of Ye Qingxin's spirit rings had been hunted with the Dugu Clan's help. Their bond was close, a mutual dependency.
If nothing unexpected occurred, Ye Lengleng's fourth spirit ring would also be aided by the Dugu Clan.
In Dugu Feng's eyes, Ye Clan was already his own.
If their defect could be solved, they could grow into a small but powerful auxiliary clan, bolstering the Dugu Clan's strength.
Dugu Feng now viewed everything from the height of his clan's future.
Suddenly, he lifted his gaze.
A tall man in crimson robes strode forward, twelve armored warriors flanking him.
Temple Knights. Entry requirement—fifty-first rank.
Twelve soul kings or higher.
Only one man in Heaven Dou warranted such a procession: Platinum Bishop Salas of Spirit Hall.
Salas's face darkened at the sight.
Yang Wushuang was dead. He had come too late.
"Prince Xue Xing, to carry out such a great matter in Heaven Dou City without so much as informing me?"
Salas's voice dripped displeasure.
"Lord Bishop, apprehending a criminal is Heaven Dou's internal affair. There is no need to report to Spirit Hall.
Besides, our investigation proved Yang Wushuang poisoned the Second and Third Princes.
When we found him, he was concocting poison even then.
Rumor says Yang Wushuang joined Spirit Hall.
You rushed here so urgently...surely not to protect him?"
Prince Xue Xing's reply was calm, but every word barbed.