Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Residence
Xue Qinghe stood quietly admiring flowers in the garden, followed by two black-robed figures.
The faint pressure emanating from these two surpassed even that of the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.
"Dugu Yan withdrew from school?"
Xue Qinghe's eyelids flickered slightly as he reconfirmed.
"Yes, Young Master!" The slightly portly middle-aged man under the black robe nodded.
"Dugu Bo's strength isn't weak, so this subordinate didn't dare get too close. But judging by their destination, they're likely heading to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"Heh." Xue Qinghe plucked a stamen from the branch, bringing it to his nose for a sniff before letting the petals drift through his fingers. "My esteemed teacher truly is extraordinary!"
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had expended great effort yet failed to recruit Dugu Bo.
Now he was rushing urgently to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, even taking Dugu Yan out of school.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan must be furious?" Xue Qinghe slowly turned to look at the two behind him.
"Unclear." The slimmer black-robed figure replied. "Our information indicates Yu Tianheng has already returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Naturally, that's to be expected." Xue Qinghe nodded.
Yu Tianheng had entered Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to pursue Dugu Yan, thereby drawing in Dugu Bo.
With Dugu Yan now withdrawn, the clan had no reason to keep their talented heir at the academy.
Ultimately, clans and empires only allied through shared interests.
Indeed, Xue Qinghe viewed everything through the lens of benefit.
The fact remained: Heaven Dou Empire couldn't defeat Star Luo Empire.
Were it not for Spirit Hall mediating conflicts, Heaven Dou Empire might have already fallen—hence their lax attitude toward Spirit Hall's influence.
"Young Master, should we report this to His Majesty Xue Ye?" The plumper black-robed man removed his hood, revealing a roundish face.
"Ci Xue Uncle, I'm not actually Xue Qinghe—why would I care where Dugu Bo goes?" Xue Qinghe shook his head.
"Rather, I'm more curious about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The Dragon Fruit teacher gave me boosted my soul power by three levels and increased my cultivation speed."
At this, both the Titled Douluo Ci Xue and the other black-robed man fell silent.
With the Young Master's talent, had she trained at Spirit Hall instead of this pointless infiltration mission, she'd already be a Soul Emperor—perhaps even a Soul Sage—rather than remaining at Soul King rank.
What benefit was there in playing crown prince? The granddaughter of Spirit Hall's High Priest, pretending to be Xue Ye's son—how preposterous!
As if reading their thoughts, Xue Qinghe shook her head:
"She Long Uncle, Ci Xue Uncle, I must prove to that woman I can seize Heaven Dou's throne without relying on the Elder Hall's power."
She Long—the addressed black-robed man—removed his hood with a sigh. "This subordinate shouldn't question your decisions, but..."
"Enough." Xue Qinghe cut him off.
Exchanging glances, She Long and Ci Xue sighed internally.
"After handling matters here, I wish to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan," Xue Qinghe continued.
"Absolutely not!"
Both men paled.
They couldn't possibly handle Chen Xin and Gu Rong's combined strength—they couldn't even covertly protect her there. During the apprenticeship ceremony, they'd stayed far away to avoid detection.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's treasure appraisal abilities are vital for Spirit Hall—that's why I became his disciple," Xue Qinghe explained.
"Ning Fengzhi is a merchant. Merchants value profit and recognize reality. Once I become emperor, he'll support me regardless of my true identity."
"But your safety—"
"That insignificant clan possesses no means to see through my disguise," Xue Qinghe declared confidently.
"Even Grandfather couldn't perceive my true form without the Angel God's sacred relics."
When Ci Xue moved to protest further, She Long patted his shoulder to signal desistance. They couldn't dissuade the Young Master—only report this upward.
"What about His Majesty Xue Ye?" She Long ventured.
"The Dragon Fruit from Ning Fengzhi improved my cultivation. We'll say I wish to deepen our master-disciple bond and seek further enhancements."
"Xue Ye has always worried about the swan spirit's weakness. He won't oppose my temporary stay at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
With filial piety, Xue Qinghe added, "And continue his medicine regimen."
"As you command."
Both Title Douluos bowed simultaneously.
...
A month passed swiftly.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan arrived as promised.
"It seems Your Excellency Dugu has reached a decision."
Ning Fengzhi welcomed them into the VIP chamber where Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo stood silently at his flanks as guards.
"Sect Master Ning, after careful consideration, Yan'er and I believe the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan suits us better than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Your magnanimity moved me deeply."
After pleasantries, Dugu Bo cut to the chase:
"How will you resolve the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's poison in our bodies? Even Ye Renxin of the Nine HearT of the couldn't cure it."
While joining the clan was decided, detoxification remained the prerequisite.
Ning Fengzhi extended three fingers. "I present superior, middling, and inferior solutions. The choice is yours."
"Truly?!" Dugu Bo's voice trembled.
After years of consultations with Ye Renxin yielded no solutions, could this clan really deliver? Was this empty promise?
Beside him, Dugu Yan gaped in shock.
"Indeed. These solutions originated from Rongrong," Ning Fengzhi revealed.
"Young... Young Sect Master Ning?" Their gazes snapped to the quiet girl playing demure nearby.
While Dugu Yan stared incredulously, Dugu Bo felt doused in icy water from head to toe.
Ning Rongrong was remarkable—but curing his poison? Impossible!
"Does this surprise you?" Ning Fengzhi sipped tea, smiling faintly.
"Regarding pharmacological knowledge, none in our clan surpasses Rongrong—not even myself."
"That letter analyzing your poison was dictated by her and penned by me."
"This... this..." Dugu Bo stood dumbfounded.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong rose and bowed. "Your Excellency, recruiting you was my initiative."
"But rest assured, I've already devised solutions for the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's poison."
"Whether they're feasible is for you and Miss Dugu Yan to judge."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo calmed somewhat.
It was merely initial shock.
He understood the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan wouldn't joke about such matters.
"Then as good faith, might I inquire about Young Sect Master Ning's current soul power?" Dugu Bo proposed.
Since everything originated with Ning Rongrong, certain questions needed verifying.