In an unknown location in Heaven Dou City.
In the dimness, a mysterious figure completely wrapped in black clothing watched the object before him, his gentle voice echoing in the small space.
"This thing on the tabletop, is it the Seven-Colored Splendor? After refining it for so many years, you've finally managed to create it."
Clang~ Clang~
A metallic scraping sound against the floor came from the darkness, and after a moment, a man emerged, bound by handcuffs and shackles.
The man was remarkably thin, his eye sockets deep. He moved his throat, and a hoarse, low voice sounded:
"Indeed, these seven substances on the table are my clan's forbidden poison – the Seven-Colored Splendor."
"Individually, these seven substances are harmless. Even when mixed together, if even one is missing, the poison will not activate; the body will only be eroded by the drugs."
"However, once all seven substances are consumed, the poison takes effect immediately."
"It's not intense at first, but the victim will feel extreme pain, as the Seven-Colored Splendor continuously corrodes the victim's life force until life ends."
"However, before this was presented, your subordinates had already tested it on a living person. Why do you still ask me?"
"Oh? Is that true?" Upon hearing this, the black-clad figure turned his head to the side, where two figures stood in the shadows.
As one of the figures saw the black-clad figure's gaze sweeping over, he immediately knelt on the ground and said:
"Young Master is busy with countless affairs. This subordinate only dared to report back after confirming the authenticity of this item. Thus, I acted on my own discretion. I hope the Young Master will forgive my transgression."
Seeing this, the black-clad figure raised a hand, signaling the kneeling person to rise.
"Uncle She, what are you saying? It's never wrong to be cautious and meticulous. Moreover, you were thinking of me, so you are naturally blameless."
"In any case, this item needs to be tested. Once I understand its toxicity, I can use it with peace of mind. Whether it's tested sooner or later makes no difference."
Afterward, the black-clad figure looked at the man in handcuffs and shackles again, his gaze scrutinizing.
The man's clothes were tattered, emitting a foul odor. The exposed skin bore traces of corrosion from something.
Calluses had formed on his wrists and ankles, suggesting the handcuffs and shackles had been worn for many years.
His face was hidden beneath his scattered white hair. In the dim environment, a pair of eyes, deeply sunken within their sockets, were visible, appearing quite eerie.
"What, still not considering it?" The black-clad figure's gentle voice reached the man's ears.
"Surrender to me, and not only will you live, but you will also bring honor to your family. This is supreme glory."
"Heh heh!" The man chuckled dryly and replied in his hoarse, low voice:
"This old man doesn't aspire to live. I only seek death to preserve my final dignity."
"However, you promised me. If I help you achieve this, you will not harm my family."
As he said these words, the man stared intently into the black-clad figure's eyes.
But the black-clad figure's entire face was hidden beneath his hood, making it impossible to see clearly in the dim environment.
"Naturally." The black-clad figure, seeing the man staring intently at him, did not get angry. Instead, he turned around, his back to the man, and said:
"This Young Master keeps his word. Your family is merely a pack of prodigal dogs, not worth making a big fuss over."
"As long as they don't court death themselves and don't oppose this Young Master, all past matters will be considered settled."
"However, before that, I need to confirm it one more time." The black-clad figure suddenly turned, his tone changing.
"Are you truly the only one who can refine the Seven-Colored Splendor? And besides you and your brother, no one else can identify it?"
Clang~ Clang~
The man dragged his chains forward and said:
"Naturally. I, Yang Wushuang, have lived an open and honest life and never deceive anyone!"
But in his heart, he secretly thought:
"The Seven-Colored Splendor is the forbidden poison of my Breaking Clan. According to ancestral teachings, my brother can refine it, but he chooses not to."
"Therefore, this old man is not lying."
On the surface, the man calling himself Yang Wushuang continued:
"Didn't the poisons I provided you earlier also go undiscovered by anyone?"
"So, you can rest assured. My brother is far away in the Star Luo Empire and cannot and will not interfere in the affairs of the Heaven Dou royal family."
"Once I die, no one in this world will know the name of this poison as Seven-Colored Splendor, let alone how to counter its effects."
The black-clad figure was unaware that the man before him was playing a word game. He simply waved his hand to the side.
The two figures in the shadows received the signal. One of them stepped forward, conjured a spear out of thin air, and nine spirit rings appeared sequentially beneath his feet.
Without hesitation, the spear pierced the man's heart, ending his life.
"Hmph! To refuse the Young Master's recruitment, he truly deserved to die!"
At this moment, the other figure from the shadows stepped forward, bowed to the black-clad figure, and said:
"Young Master, shall we administer the Seven-Colored Splendor to Xue Ye now?"
"No!" The black-clad figure refused outright and explained:
"My foundation is not yet stable, and I don't have enough ministers supporting me in court."
"If Xue Ye meets with an accident rashly, and Xue Xing spares no expense in supporting Xue Beng, we still risk failure."
At this moment, the figure retracted the spear from the man's body and interjected, "Young Master, if you ask me, we should just eliminate that troublesome Xue Xing and Xue Beng."
"Then, you will be the sole candidate for the next Emperor."
"Foolish!" the man in black exclaimed after hearing this. He flicked his sleeve, turned to stare at the figure, and reprimanded him.
"Since ancient times, power struggles within the royal family have been exceptionally treacherous. Even in death, it's due to being outmatched."
"Therefore, after my second and third brothers died, as the one who gained the most benefit, even if suspected, no one dared to openly expose the matter without evidence."
"But everything has its limits. As long as my fourth brother, Xue Beng, is alive, I am not the sole candidate for the throne. This is the way of imperial balance."
"I can be Xue Ye's best choice, but not his only choice."
"So, Xue Beng can be decadent, he can be incompetent, he can even highlight my excellence through this, but he absolutely cannot die!"
"If Xue Beng dies, Xue Ye will give me more younger brothers. To warn me, he might even change the position of Crown Prince."
"Therefore, maintaining the current situation and proceeding slowly is the only sure way to succeed!"
The figure that appeared later in the darkness waved his hand and patted the back of the reprimanded figure forcefully, appeasing him.
"Young Master is right to lecture him. Old She has always been accustomed to using brute force and isn't very bright to begin with. I hope Young Master will forgive him."
"It's fine," the man in black stopped the actions of the two.
"There are priorities in learning, and specializations in professions."
"Imperial statecraft is not suitable for ordinary people. Moreover, martial prowess is the strength of you two uncles."
"Even I, by dividing my attention between politics and the art of power, have greatly delayed my cultivation progress."
"Alright, I cannot disappear from people's sight for too long. I must return quickly."
As his voice faded, the man in black had already collected the Seven-Colored Splendor from the table and vanished from the secret chamber.
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