According to the subsequent plot developments, Xue Ye the Great was indeed poisoned.
The poison was a type of Mixed Poison that even Dugu Bo couldn't detect. It was only after exchanging knowledge about Mixed Poison with Tang San that he became aware of it. However, he could only counteract poison with poison and couldn't completely cure it. In the end, it was Yang Wudi who managed to heal him.
Of course, Yang Wudi could cure it precisely because the poison had been administered by Yang Wushuang, a traitor from the Breaking Clan. When the Clear Sky Sect retreated into seclusion, the four single-attribute clans under its affiliation were besieged by various forces. Yang Wudi's younger brother, Yang Wushuang, was captured by the Spirit Hall and defected to them. It was also he who assisted Qian Renxue in poisoning the two princes to death. Now, he was likely plotting to poison Xue Ye the Great as well. It was unclear whether the poisoning had already begun.
As Dugu Feng pondered these thoughts, the carriage smoothly entered the imperial palace and finally stopped in front of Xue Ye the Great's bedchambers. The Royal Guard had already announced their arrival inside.
Dugu Feng and Dugu Shuo were directly led in by the guards. The palace was vast, with eight round golden pillars supporting a massive dome, creating an open and majestic atmosphere. At the center of the palace, seated on the dragon throne, was a man dressed in a golden-red robe, wearing the Golden Diamond Crown of Radiance. His dignified face exuded an air of absolute control. Dugu Feng didn't even need to guess—this was Xue Ye the Great.
Below Xue Ye the Great stood several figures with bowed heads. Among them, Dugu Feng recognized one—Prince Xue Beng, who stood there fidgeting as if he couldn't bear to stay a moment longer and was eager to leave. Xue Beng was also a student at the Heaven Dou Royal Junior Academy, though three years older than Dugu Feng and in a different grade. During his time at the academy, Dugu Feng had seen Xue Beng a few times, but they were merely acquaintances who exchanged nods. At the academy, Xue Beng acted like a spoiled noble, but only toward those from minor families or of low status. Toward Ning Rongrong, Feng Ling, Feng Li, and even Dugu Feng himself, he treated them equally, if not with outright respect. When Dugu Feng glanced at him, Xue Beng grinned without a trace of nervousness or fear, despite Xue Ye the Great's presence. It had to be said that Xue Beng concealed his true nature well and played his role convincingly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The father and son walked before the dragon throne and bowed to Xue Ye the Great.
Xue Ye the Great appeared energetic, his face ruddy as he smiled and said, "Clan Leader Dugu, no need for formalities. Please, take a seat!" Dugu Shuo nodded and sat on a nearby chair. Naturally, Dugu Feng stood behind his father. When he raised his head, he saw Xue Beng and the others opposite him. Besides Xue Beng, there was an elderly man, a young man, and a young woman.
"Thank you for your trouble, Clan Leader Dugu!" the elderly man suddenly spoke.
"Prince Xue Xing, you flatter me!" The old man's voice was robust and full of vigor. He wore a grand yellow robe embroidered with soaring dragons—this was Prince Xue Xing. The prince walked to the seat beside Dugu Shuo and sat down, extending his left hand for inspection. Dugu Feng watched as his father's forehead revealed a distinct green diamond-shaped scale, and a multicolored light radiated, enveloping Prince Xue Xing. The moment this light appeared, Dugu Feng felt a sense of oppression.
Upon closer inspection, the radiant light was composed of four colors: purple, gray, gold, and black.
It seemed to possess an unfathomable power.
Under the glow of this light, Prince Xue Xing appeared completely normal.
Soon, Dugu Shuo withdrew the colorful radiance, and Prince Xue Xing stood up.
The young man beside him stepped forward again.
"Thank you for your efforts, Clan Leader Dugu!" The youth first acknowledged Dugu Shuo, then smiled warmly at Dugu Feng as well.
The smile was sincere, exuding a comforting aura.
This must be Qian Renxue—Qian Renxue disguised as Xue Qinghe.
This was the culprit. No doubt Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng already harbored deep suspicions toward her!
Dugu Feng wondered what would happen if he exposed Qian Renxue right now.
The likely outcome would be two Titled Douluo descending from the heavens to rescue her, but before leaving, they might just kill him and Dugu Shuo outright.
The thought alone was thrilling.
With this realization, Dugu Feng suddenly grew tense. If Xue Ye the Great had already been poisoned...
And if Dugu Shuo detected it...
Wouldn't Qian Renxue despise the Dugu family to the core?
From then on, the Dugu family would undoubtedly face targeted persecution from the Spirit Hall.
No—in fact, it was possible that Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong were already scheming to eliminate the Dugu family.
After all, within the Heaven Dou Empire, only the Dugu family—and Dugu Bo—could detoxify the imperial family.
Come to think of it, Dugu Bo's endless battles with Yue Guan couldn't have been a coincidence.
The Spirit Hall truly wanted Dugu Bo dead.
In the later events of the story, there was no trace of Dugu Shuo's lineage. Given how highly Xue Ye the Great regarded Dugu Shuo now...
Had they been wiped out between now and the Soul Master Competition?
Add to that the Elephant Armor Sect's potential betrayal at any moment...
Damn. Dugu Feng felt like he was piecing together the truth.
Qian Renxue wore a sincere smile on her face, but inwardly, she probably wished for Dugu Shuo's death.
Dugu Feng kept his expression calm, revealing nothing.
"No need for formalities, Your Highness the Crown Prince," Dugu Shuo nodded.
The same radiant inspection yielded no results.
Next was Xue Beng.
Then the young girl beside Xue Beng—his younger sister, Xue Ke.
Again, nothing was detected.
This was merely the appetizer. The main event was yet to come—Xue Ye the Great himself.
This time, Dugu Shuo approached the emperor.
Without hesitation, Dugu Feng followed.
The colorful light enveloped them.
Though nothing seemed amiss in the grand hall, Dugu Feng couldn't shake the feeling of rising tension.
"Hahaha, there's no need to worry. With Clan Leader Dugu here, who could possibly poison me?" Xue Ye the Great laughed heartily.
"Your Majesty bears the hopes of millions—of course, all is well!" Prince Xue Xing chimed in.
Yet his eyes remained unblinking, fixed intently on the emperor within the radiant glow.
He already suspected Xue Qinghe.
Among the princes, none posed a threat to Xue Qinghe anymore. The only remaining obstacle to her ascension was Xue Ye the Great himself.
That was why every inspection for poison left him on edge.
Beside him, Xue Beng still wore an indifferent expression, as if completely unconcerned.
Xue Ke, around the same age as Dugu Feng, was still a young girl, striving to maintain an elegant demeanor.
She was likely the least scheming person in the hall.
Qian Renxue remained composed, her gentle facade making Dugu Feng marvel at her mental fortitude.
Suddenly, Dugu Feng felt the Core Pearl within him spinning faster.
Soul Power surged rapidly through his meridians.
Startled, he quickly steadied his mind, suppressing the Core Pearl's restless agitation.
At the same time, he sensed that the source of the Core Pearl's agitation was none other than Xue Ye the Great.
Xue Ye the Great had definitely been poisoned.
Moreover, the toxin was of exceptionally high quality, which had triggered the Core Pearl's unusual reaction.
Dugu Feng felt a sense of impending storm, as if the mounting winds foretold the coming tempest.
One misstep could lead to their entire clan being targeted and annihilated by the Spirit Hall.
This matter involved Bibi Dong's ambitions and Qian Renxue's grand scheme to usurp the throne.
(End of Chapter)