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As the sun set, two figures moved quietly through the palace corridors.
Dugu Bo, in his dark green robe, had his withered fingers clasped behind his back, glancing sideways at Feng Xiao beside him: "Hmph, I didn't even give Xue Xing that old coot any face."
His voice was hoarse like a venomous snake hissing, "Today, I'm accompanying you into the palace, so you better remember this, young man—"
He suddenly stopped, his snake-like eyes glowing eerily in the setting sun: "This old body of mine will be relying on you from now on." With that, he flicked his sleeve.
Feng Xiao chuckled at his words, the setting sun casting a warm golden glow on his handsome profile: "What are you saying? You're Yan Yan's grandfather, how could I dare not take care of you?"
Dugu Bo snorted lightly, his withered fingers stroking his beard: "Cut the act." He narrowed his snake pupils, "I always felt that for so many years, you haven't been very attentive to my Yan Yan."
"Don't worry," Feng Xiao suddenly interrupted, winking mysteriously, "You'll understand soon enough."
"Oh?" Dugu Bo abruptly halted, his snake pupils contracting sharply in the twilight.
He stared at Feng Xiao's smiling eyes, a hint of scrutiny flashing in his snake-like gaze.
Dugu Bo was clear in his heart—if he didn't truly care for Yan Yan and the Ye family girl, why would Feng Xiao move the Chains of Command to his medicinal garden? He even found a way to compensate for their Spirit defects. Over the years, he had imagined countless reasons, but he never expected the truth to be hidden within these heavily guarded palace walls.
As dusk deepened, Feng Xiao led Dugu Bo through the palace paths.
The guards on both sides, seeing it was Feng Xiao, bowed their heads and stepped aside.
The old Poison Douluo narrowed his snake pupils, noticing that expert practitioners from Spirit Hall were lurking in the shadows of every palace gate; the entire imperial city had long been woven into a vast net.
"You're still a good kid," Dugu Bo suddenly lowered his voice, his claw-like fingers clenching slightly, "Not dragging my granddaughter into this…"
Feng Xiao smiled without answering, the glazed tiles of the East Palace already glowing with a blood-red hue in the twilight.
The bronze bells on the eaves chimed crisply in the evening breeze, as if knocking on a long-sealed secret.
The lingering rays of the setting sun filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled golden light spots within the East Palace study.
The moment Feng Xiao and Dugu Bo stepped across the threshold, they happened to see Qian Renxue remove her disguise, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall, shimmering with a sacred radiance in the twilight.
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply, his withered fingers unconsciously clenching.
Although the woman's spirit power fluctuations were only at the Spirit Douluo level, the intense, fiery aura made his Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit restless within his body, even giving him a sense of danger.
"Senior, there's no need to be nervous." Feng Xiao stepped forward half a pace at the opportune moment, skillfully blocking their line of sight.
Qian Renxue's lips curved slightly, her fingertips playing with a strand of golden hair, exuding an air of innate nobility in every gesture.
The last ray of sunset outside the window swept across her beautiful face, illuminating her heterochromatic eyes like brilliant gemstones.
Dugu Bo frowned deeply, his suspicious gaze shifting back and forth between Feng Xiao and Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue gracefully curtsied, her golden hair flowing like water from her shoulders: "Thank you, Senior Dugu, for setting aside past grievances to assist us.
Xue'er is truly grateful."
"You are Xue Qinghe?" Dugu Bo's hoarse voice held disbelief, his withered fingers unconsciously rubbing his waist.
He turned to look at Feng Xiao, only to see the young man smiling faintly, nodding almost imperceptibly.
Dugu Bo suddenly snorted coldly, his withered face appearing particularly gloomy in the twilight.
He flicked his sleeve: "Just now I was praising you for having a conscience!" His voice was hoarse like a venomous snake hissing, "I knew you weren't that attentive to Yan Yan and the Ye family girl."
The old man suddenly turned, his dark green robe swirling like waves in the setting sun: "So you've climbed the high branch of Spirit Hall!" His venomous snake-like vertical pupils stared intently at Feng Xiao, "What do you take my Yan Yan for?"
With that, Dugu Bo lifted his foot, about to step out of the palace door.
The temperature inside the hall plummeted.
Crows startled outside the window let out piercing cries, adding a touch of solemnity to the confrontation.
Feng Xiao quickly stepped forward, smiling apologetically as he held Dugu Bo's arm: "Please calm your anger, I was truly helpless back then." His tone carried a rare sincerity.
Dugu Bo snorted through his nose, turning his face away from the two, his wrinkled face clearly stating, "I'm not listening," but his feet remained rooted to the spot.
Feng Xiao subtly gave Qian Renxue a meaningful look.
Qian Renxue understood, and again bowed deeply, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall: "This matter is indeed my fault.
Xiao Feng had to keep my secret, and in doing so, he wronged Yan Yan all these years." She lifted her golden eyes, her voice sincere and gentle, "If Senior insists on leaving, Xue'er will have no complaints."
The lingering glow of the setting sun gilded the three of them, and a brief silence fell over the hall.
Dugu Bo's cloudy snake pupils narrowed slightly, calculating in his heart.
Having survived years of pursuit by Spirit Hall, how could he be a dull-witted person?
Seeing this, Feng Xiao leaned in and whispered: "Senior, it's better to resolve enmity than to deepen it." His voice carried a captivating rhythm, "If you help today, I guarantee that Chrysanthemum Douluo will treat you with utmost respect whenever he sees you in the future."
"Hiss—" Dugu Bo gasped, his withered fingers clenching sharply, already imagining the scene Feng Xiao described.
To make the detestable Chrysanthemum Pass bow his head, this girl's identity was probably far more noble than he had guessed!
"You scoundrel!" He feigned anger, shaking off Feng Xiao's hand, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "Don't try to fool this old man with such talk!" Though his words were harsh, his feet had unconsciously shifted half a step further into the hall.
The setting sun cast his shadow long, falling right at Qian Renxue's feet, like a silent compromise.
Dugu Bo weighed his options in his heart; his only concern now was to ensure his granddaughter Dugu Yan lived a safe and peaceful life.
However, if he could use this opportunity to resolve his old grievances with Spirit Hall and secure a better future for Yan Yan, it would not be a bad thing at all.
Seeing Dugu Bo's expression soften, Feng Xiao quickly took the old man's arm, leading him solicitously to a zitan carved chair: "Senior, please rest for a moment." He then turned to retrieve a celadon jade tea cup from the table, offering it with both hands, "This is new tea specially prepared by Xue'er; it's excellent for calming the mind."
Dugu Bo snorted through his nose, reluctantly taking the tea cup and sipping a few times.
Amidst the misty tea aroma, he looked up, sweeping his gaze across Feng Xiao's ingratiating smile and Qian Renxue's expectant eyes, finally placing the tea cup down heavily on the table—this action was already a sign of acquiescence.
A hint of joy flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes as she bowed respectfully to Dugu Bo: "Thank you, Senior, for your assistance."
Dugu Bo's withered fingers rubbed the rim of the teacup, his expression solemn: "Don't be happy too soon." He looked up at the two, a sharp glint in his snake pupils, "The Clear Sky Sect people are not to be trifled with."
Feng Xiao smiled faintly, calmly adjusting his sleeves: "Don't worry, we are well prepared." He turned and exchanged a knowing glance with Qian Renxue, "The worst outcome is merely withdrawing from Heaven Dou."
As dusk deepened outside the window, the last ray of lingering sunlight gilded the three of them.
Dugu Bo looked at the tea leaves floating in his cup, and suddenly felt that this game of chess was far more complex than he had imagined.
Upon hearing this, a hint of unwilling gloom flickered across Qian Renxue's beautiful face.
Dugu Bo took in her expression, and with a light tap of his withered fingertip on the teacup, he said playfully: "Girl, you've been with Ning Fengzhi for so many years, isn't his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda renowned as the number one auxiliary Spirit in the world?
Why isn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School coming to help, and instead, you're asking an old loner like me for assistance now?"
Feng Xiao interjected at the right moment, a hint of flattery in his smile: "You're joking, how could Ning Fengzhi be as reliable as you?"
"Alright, alright!" Dugu Bo waved his hand, interrupting, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.
He feigned annoyance, glaring at Feng Xiao: "Don't try to sweet-talk this old man here! I just don't want to see you die here, otherwise Yan Yan will throw a tantrum at me again!"
Despite his words, the triumphant glint in the old man's eyes betrayed his true feelings.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue timely poured him another cup of fragrant tea; amidst the curling tea mist, the atmosphere between the three had already softened considerably.
Feng Xiao noticed the unease in Qian Renxue's brows, and gently patted her shoulder, saying softly: "Xue'er, with Senior Dugu presiding, plus Elder Porcupinefish and Elder Snake Lance, that makes three Titled Douluo." His fingertip brushed her cascading golden hair, "If even this isn't enough, then it's fate."
Dugu Bo stroked his beard, his snake-like vertical pupils narrowing slightly: "This kid makes sense. If three Titled Douluo still can't take control of the situation…" He paused meaningfully, "Your Spirit Hall really should re-evaluate the Clear Sky Sect.
Their support for that kid Xue Beng must be for no small gain."
A cold glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, and her jade fingers unconsciously tightened: "One day… I will personally flatten them." Her words were interrupted by Feng Xiao's gentle touch.
"For now, let's focus on how to get through this current hurdle." Feng Xiao's voice was very soft, yet it eased the tense atmosphere in the hall.
Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened, her golden hair shimmering with resolute luster in the twilight: "Without further ado, let us proceed to Emperor Xue Ye's sleeping quarters." She lightly flicked her sleeve, a faint fragrance trailing as she turned, "If they truly intend to act, tonight is the only opportunity."
Feng Xiao nodded understandingly, carefully helping Dugu Bo: "Senior, please." He
The moment the three stepped out of the hall, the last ray of setting sun dipped below the palace walls.
Dugu Bo's dark green robe brushed the bluestone steps, his hoarse voice exceptionally clear in the twilight: "The mighty Battle Spirit Hammer, the towering Clear Sky Sect, this old man also wants to see if the Clear Sky Sect is still as it was back then."
As night deepened, the lanterns along the palace paths swayed gently in the wind.
Dugu Bo suddenly transmitted a message, his hoarse voice reaching Feng Xiao's ear: "Kid, what exactly is this girl's background?" His snake-like vertical pupils narrowed slightly, "Someone who can make that old Chrysanthemum Pass bow his head, would she stoop to such covert activities?"
Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, and he replied with a telepathic message: "Please forgive me, the reasons are inconvenient to elaborate on." His peripheral vision caught sight of Qian Renxue's flowing golden hair ahead, and his voice gained a touch of solemnity, "However… Xue'er is indeed the former Supreme Pontiff's beloved daughter."
Dugu Bo's steps imperceptibly halted, his withered fingers clenched abruptly, his heart shaking violently.
This answer clearly exceeded his expectations.
He looked deeply at Feng Xiao, his telepathic message carrying an unprecedented solemnity: "Good for you, young man, you have quite the good fortune."
Feng Xiao's words were indeed flawless.
He knew better than anyone that Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were the former Supreme Pontiff's personally cultivated right-hand men.
To assist Qian Renxue today would be akin to providing timely help to the former Supreme Pontiff's lineage—even if Yue Guan's cultivation was higher, he would have to be polite when he saw him.
Thinking of this, a hint of triumph couldn't help but appear on the old man's wrinkled face.
He glanced sideways at Feng Xiao, secretly musing that this kid had indeed paved a good path for his granddaughter.
The night wind rustled his dark green robe, and his steps even became a bit lighter.
Before long, the three had arrived outside Emperor Xue Ye's sleeping quarters.
The royal guards on duty, seeing Qian Renxue, immediately knelt in unison to salute.
Just then, two powerful auras suddenly descended; She Long and Ci Xue, two Titled Douluo, appeared and respectfully saluted Qian Renxue: "Young Mistress."
Dugu Bo took in this scene, and his last shred of doubt vanished.
He secretly clicked his tongue: To have two Titled Douluo show such respect to a junior with Spirit Douluo cultivation, this girl's identity was practically screaming out.
Looking across the entire continent, besides the deceased Supreme Pontiff's direct daughter from Spirit Hall, who else could possess such prestige?
The night wind swept across the palace walls, bringing a hint of coolness.
Dugu Bo unconsciously straightened his hunched back, and suddenly felt that this evening's gamble might be more valuable than he had imagined.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly, and She Long and Ci Xue's sharp gazes immediately locked onto Dugu Bo.
Seeing this, Feng Xiao quickly stepped forward, smiling as he introduced: "This is Senior She Long, his Spirit is Snake Lance; and this is Senior Ci Xue, his Spirit is Porcupinefish."
"Snake Lance… Porcupinefish…" Dugu Bo narrowed his snake pupils, poisonous mist faintly appearing around him, "Heh, you really prepared a grand gift for this old man." He swept his gaze over the two with a chilling tone, "If this old man had accepted Xue Xing's invitation today, I suppose I would have had to experience your esteemed techniques?"
She Long's fingertips glowed with golden snake scales, while Ci Xue subtly positioned himself in front of Qian Renxue.
Seeing this, Feng Xiao quickly interjected to smooth things over: "Senior, you jest, we are all in the same boat now."
Moonlight streamed through the pillars, casting several tense shadows on the ground.
Qian Renxue coughed lightly at the opportune moment, and only then did the three Titled Douluo retract their auras.
The air in front of the sleeping quarters seemed to solidify, even the chirping of insects vanished without a trace.
A hint of awkward bitter smile appeared on Feng Xiao's face.
He knew very well that with Dugu Bo's shrewdness, he would eventually see through these arrangements.
But rather than discovering it at a life-or-death moment, it was better to make it clear now.
Qian Renxue's golden eyes flickered, and she gave She Long and the other a warning look.
With a great enemy at hand, internal strife would only give the Clear Sky Sect an opportunity.
She Long understood, cupped his fists in a salute, and said with a hint of respect in his tone: "Your Excellency's Jade Phosphor Serpent poison is unparalleled, even Elder Chrysanthemum has to be wary of it.
To ensure the Young Mistress's safety within the hall, we two were specially dispatched to assist."
These words were perfectly crafted, both elevating Dugu Bo's status and explaining the previous precautions.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's gloomy expression indeed softened a bit, and he snorted coldly, no longer pressing the issue.
The night wind swept by, dispersing the tense atmosphere that had just hung in the air.