Tang San and his group left the imperial palace and returned to Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang knew Tang San very well and understood that the words he had said in Emperor Xue Ye's bedchamber carried a different meaning.
"Xiao San, tell me the truth. Is His Majesty's poison truly incurable?"
Tang San turned around, his gaze firm and complex as he looked at Yu Xiaogang:
"Teacher, the toxins in His Majesty's body are indeed extremely complex. While I can identify a few of them, most of the components are like secret passages in a maze difficult to grasp.
At this moment, if I recklessly use medicine, not only will it fail to cure the poison, but it may also accelerate its spread, resulting in an irreparable disaster.
What a pity that Senior Dugu's herb garden is no longer there. Otherwise, there might still be some hope. For now, all I can do is try to slow down the poison's spread and buy His Majesty some time."
Ning Fengzhi listened quietly, his brows tightly furrowed.
He knew that Tang San had already done his best.
Emperor Xue Ye's life was nearing its end a cruel reality.
Tang San looked toward Ning Fengzhi, his expression serious:
"Uncle Ning, you must have also noticed the strangeness in the palace. Those guards are no ordinary men."
"Yes, all of them have been replaced. They're all under the Crown Prince."
"Don't you find that strange?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned.
"Xiao San, you mean…?"
Tang San's gaze grew resolute.
"Uncle Ning, I believe you've also felt it. The current situation in the Heaven Dou Palace has reached a critical point. The Crown Prince's actions are becoming increasingly suspicious. So many Soul Masters above the seventieth level—there's no way the Heaven Dou Empire could have cultivated them so easily. There may be a shadow of Spirit Hall behind this."
Ning Fengzhi was shocked upon hearing this.
"Xiao San, you suspect the Crown Prince is colluding with Spirit Hall?"
Tang San nodded.
"Perhaps he's being coerced by Spirit Hall, or maybe he's in collusion with them. Regardless of which it is, His Majesty's safety and the future of the entire Heaven Dou Empire are in grave danger."
Ning Fengzhi let out a soft sigh.
He too understood that Tang San's suspicions were reasonable.
If Xue Qinghe was truly backed by Spirit Hall, then it would be impossible to expect the Department of Weapons to forge the Zhuge Divine Crossbow and other powerful hidden weapons for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
After thinking for a moment, Ning Fengzhi said in a deep voice:
"Grandmaster, Xiao San, I actually have a method that could extend His Majesty's life—but the price is…"
"What's the price?"
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang asked almost simultaneously, their gazes fixed on Ning Fengzhi's face, waiting for an answer that could change everything.
"This method is a forbidden technique passed down through generations in the Ning Clan. It is not to be used unless absolutely necessary. It can temporarily restore damaged vitality, but the price is life force and longevity. Even if it succeeds, His Majesty would only live another two or three years."
Ning Fengzhi's voice was calm, but every word revealed the struggle in his heart.
Tang San said:
"Uncle Ning, two or three years may be short, but it's enough for us to uncover the truth and take action. If we do nothing, we'll only watch helplessly as the Heaven Dou Empire falls into the hands of Xue Qinghe, this puppet, and ultimately becomes controlled by Spirit Hall."
Yu Xiaogang also nodded in agreement.
"Sect Master Ning, Xiao San is right. At such a critical moment, we can't worry about the consequences. I'm willing to share in whatever result comes."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had been severely damaged, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been annihilated. Yu Xiaogang and Ning Fengzhi now stood on the same front.
They all knew that once Emperor Xue Ye passed away, the Heaven Dou Empire would no longer have a place for them.
Tang San said.
"Uncle Ning, I'm also willing to share the responsibility with you. To be honest, my father is also in Heaven Dou City."
Ning Fengzhi was somewhat surprised.
"The Clear Sky Douluo is also in Heaven Dou City?"
"Yes. I plan to return to the Clear Sky Clan with my father to persuade the clan to emerge and confront Spirit Hall together. But if the political power of the Heaven Dou Empire falls into the hands of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, then everything I do will be meaningless."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and Yu Xiaogang looked at each other.
They both knew what it meant for the Clear Sky Clan to emerge once more.
Although the Clear Sky Clan had been hunted by Spirit Hall and had hidden their whereabouts, with its sub-clans scattered, it still did not diminish its reputation as the number one clan under the heavens.
Tang San continued:
"My father said that, aside from the clan leader, the five surviving Elders of the Clear Sky Clan have all reached the level of Titled Douluo. If my father returns to the clan, the Clear Sky Clan will have seven Titled Douluo in total."
"Seven Titled Douluo truly worthy of being the number one clan under the heavens." Ning Fengzhi praised.
Yu Xiaogang smiled.
"With the seven Title Douluos of the Clear Sky Sect, plus Sect Master Ning the number one support-type soul master in the world and the two Title Douluos, Sword and Bone, we have ten powerhouses in total. With such a soul master force, even Spirit Hall wouldn't dare to act rashly."
"Teacher, you, Teacher Erlong, and Dean Flender form the Golden Iron Triangle, and you're equivalent to one Title Douluo, aren't you?"
Yu Xiaogang smiled slightly and didn't deny it. He continued:
"If His Majesty's health can be restored and he can lead a million-strong army, and if everyone unites, then there's no need to fear Spirit Hall."
Tang San nodded in agreement.
To him, this was a perfect opportunity.
If the Clear Sky Sect could be relocated to Heaven Dou City, join hands with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and gain the protection of the Heaven Dou Empire, it could rapidly expand the sect's power.
Those former subordinates who had once left the Clear Sky Sect might also return to the sect.
The revival of the sect would be just around the corner.
But all of this depended on curing Emperor Xue Ye and regaining control of the Heaven Dou Empire's political power.
Ning Fengzhi no longer hesitated.
No matter what, he couldn't just watch Emperor Xue Ye die.
As long as Emperor Xue Ye was still alive, he would support him.
"Master, Little San, tomorrow morning we'll head to the palace. We must keep this matter a secret. Even if His Majesty is cured, we can't let him know exactly what method we used."
"Understood."
The next morning, Tang San and Ning Fengzhi once again arrived at Emperor Xue Ye's sleeping quarters.
At this time, Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng were not present only Prince Xue Xing was there.
Ning Fengzhi said:
"Your Highness, we now have a method to treat His Majesty. Tang Yin and I need to perform it together. However, the treatment process is rather complex, and no one can disturb us, so we ask for your—"
Prince Xue Xing immediately understood Ning Fengzhi's meaning, a wave of joy rushing through his heart.
"Then we leave His Majesty in your hands."
"Your Highness overpraises us."
"I'll stand guard outside. While you're treating His Majesty, no one shall be allowed to enter."
"Many thanks for your understanding, Your Highness."
After that, Prince Xue Xing personally guarded the entrance of Emperor Xue Ye's sleeping quarters.
Not long after, Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng also arrived.
Upon learning that Tang Yin and Ning Fengzhi were treating Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Renxue didn't pay it much mind.
Two hours later, a hoarse yet powerful voice rang out from inside Emperor Xue Ye's quarters.
"Prince, Qinghe, Xue Beng, the three of you come in."
Hearing that familiar voice, Qian Renxue felt as if struck by lightning, her back turning cold, utterly in disbelief.
"Xue Ye is… alive?!!"