Dugu Feng hid a smirk at the corner of his lips. The dust had settled.
And Heaven Dou's side now stood firmly on the moral high ground.
At most, Salas could throw out a few rebukes. What could he really do to the Heaven Dou Empire?This was exactly why Prince Xue Xing had been the one to take the lead.
Salas now faced a dilemma...should he admit that Yang Wushuang had indeed joined Spirit Hall?
Did Xue Xing truly hold evidence, or was he simply bluffing?
"Rumors are nothing more than rumors. Yang Wushuang was a lackey of the Clear Sky Clan. How could he possibly have joined Spirit Hall? Prince Xue Xing, don't you dare smear us with baseless accusations."
Salas finally shook his head. In the end, he chose to obey Qian Renxue's command and deny Yang Wushuang's ties to Spirit Hall.
"In that case, Platinum Bishop, there is no need for you to meddle further. Clan Leader Yang is here and we will handle this matter ourselves."
Salas could only swallow the loss. The crucial point was that Yang Wushuang was already dead.
Had he lived, Salas would have twisted and clawed with every excuse possible to take him away, unafraid of Heaven Dou's outrage.
But now, Yang Wushuang was nothing more than bone.
It was too late to say anything.
Dugu Feng paid no further mind to the exchange. Instead, he strode toward Qian Renxue.
"Brother Xue, last time I said I'd find some time to visit the Crown Prince's residence. But I've been buried in cultivation, and never got the chance. I beg Brother Xue's pardon."
He greeted her with a warm smile.
Qian Renxue, cloaked in the guise of Xue Qinghe, returned an equally warm expression, her demeanor calm and gracious. "It's no matter. I've already heard about your efforts in the Royal Academy. Training diligently alongside Rongrong. For one so young to have already stepped into the Soul Elder realm… you will surely become one of Heaven Dou's pillars in the future.
This time, you helped avenge my second and third brothers. For that, the Dugu Clan has my deepest gratitude!"
Inwardly, her heart bled. The Dugu Clan had clearly acted, their poison reducing Yang Wushuang's corpse to bone.
Yet outwardly she maintained her flawless mask of benevolence, gratitude, and humility.
It was no wonder she had lived undetected for so many years. Even Ning Fengzhi, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's gem-based perceptive abilities, had failed to see through her disguise.
Spirit bones were one reason. Her Oscar worthy perfect performance was another!
"Brother Xue, what level have you reached now?" Dugu Feng asked with feigned curiosity.
Qian Renxue sighed lightly. "How could I compare with you, Brother Feng? I am only at the thirty-eighth rank, still short of breaking into the Soul Ancestor. At this rate, you'll soon surpass me."
Outwardly, as Xue Qinghe, she was known as a Soul Elder. In truth, her cultivation had long since reached Soul King! (T/N : One of the most stupid characters in the story. If she would have focused on cultivation she would have been a god well before Tang San and Gang would be able to do anything worthwhile...)
Dugu Feng's eyes gleamed.
So her spirit bone was of remarkable quality and it could even conceal her spirit and spirit power.
"Thirty-eighth rank is already quite respectable. Cultivation is grueling, and every spirit ring carries the risk of death.
But Brother Xue, as the Crown Prince, your shoulders bear the weight of the Empire. Strengthening the nation, expanding the army, developing the academies, nurturing more soul masters...that is where your duty truly lies!"
Dugu Feng said earnestly, weaving words of subtle persuasion.
Qian Renxue's path had been delayed by her years of infiltration. Otherwise, she would have surpassed Tang San to godhood long before him.
If he could continue to slow her cultivation speed—even a little—that would be invaluable!
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Feng. In time, I will visit the Royal Academy myself and see how the young geniuses of our Heaven Dou are progressing."
Qian Renxue nodded gently.
Dugu Feng's words coincided perfectly with her ongoing efforts to infiltrate every level of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Indeed. The academies are the cradle of future strength. If the Crown Prince were to show greater attention, then once these students graduate, they would surely fight under your banner."
Dugu Feng continued to fan the flames, encouraging her to indulge in the thrill of expanding her influence.
Every moment she lost herself in that role bought him more time to catch up to her strength.
Yes...he would need to think of more ways to keep fooling her in the future.
While they spoke, Ge Long was already leading soldiers to clear the battlefield's wreckage.
Salas and the Four Single-Attribute Clans had dispersed.
"Brother Xue, I'll take my leave here. When time permits, I'll come see you again."
Dugu Feng parted ways with Qian Renxue, then returned with Old Snake and Old Scorpion to the Dugu estate.
In the main hall, he sat at the head seat. At some point, Little Snake had slipped in as well, bearing trays of food.
After the chaos of the day, Dugu Feng's appetite stirred. He began to eat heartily.
"Young Master, after today's battle, the clan's prestige has soared. In Heaven Dou City, our influence will only grow stronger. Moreover, I managed to secure Yang Wushuang's soul tool!"
Old Snake's voice still brimmed with excitement.
Yang Wushuang had been a Soul Douluo, yet under the clan's schemes, he had fallen. To wipe out such a poison-user and seize his legacy, nothing was sweeter.
And since Yang Wushuang had died to poison, none dared rummage through his remains but the Dugu Clan.
"What did you find? Did he carry the Breaking Clan's manuals on alchemy and poison?"
Dugu Feng asked.
"There were indeed records! The Breaking Clan specializes in refining medicines—body-nourishing tonics, healing elixirs, spirit-strengthening draughts.
As for poison, there was a handwritten notebook detailing combinations of herbs, theories on compound toxins!"
Old Snake had already skimmed it with his spiritual sense during the way back, clearly pleased with the harvest.
As he spoke, he passed the book forward.
Dugu Feng flipped through it quickly.
"Two herbs, harmless on their own, when mixed, can become lethal… Alchemy is truly the art of studying every possible combination."
Half an hour later, he had finished the slim volume, eyes alight.
Yes—this was the crystallization of the Breaking Clan's generations of research. Yang Wushuang had been a genius indeed!
And among the notes were records of his work under Spirit Hall's support.
"Seven-Colored Venom… so that was the poison that afflicted Emperor Xue Ye!"
Dugu Feng's gaze sharpened as he committed it to memory.
"Old Snake, there is one more task. We must divert Spirit Hall's attention. Yang Wushuang's death will not go unanswered. In the end they will investigate, perhaps even retaliate.
We need to give them something bigger to chew on."
His eyes gleamed with cunning.
Old Snake and Old Scorpion exchanged a look. "What does Young Master intend?"
"Why, give them a greater enemy. On the continent, it is said there are only a dozen or so titled Douluo. Does that sound believable?
Spread the word: in the Star Dou Great Forest, someone saw a man wielding the Clear Sky Hammer....a newly advanced Titled Douluo.
Suspected to be the Fifth Elder of the Clear Sky Clan!
If all the Clear Sky Clan's elders have advanced to Title, then Clear Sky boast's at the least seven Titles. And among them are Titles like Tang Hao and Tang Xiao!
Dugu Feng's expression was grave as he laid out his ploy.