Being part of a major family, Dugu Feng understood perfectly well that it was completely normal for a family to hedge their bets on both sides.
Perhaps Yang Wushuang's defection to the Spirit Hall had been tacitly approved by Yang Wudi.
For the sake of the family's survival, one brother opposed the Spirit Hall and stood with the Clear Sky Sect, while the other joined the Spirit Hall.
This way, no matter which side emerged victorious, the family could continue its legacy.
Therefore, Dugu Feng didn't rashly contact the Destruction Clan.
Instead, he decided to muddy the waters further!
Moreover, he needed to involve more factions in this.
A thought struck Dugu Feng—Heaven Dou City was their home turf, where the Dugu family held significant influence.
Having figured this out, Dugu Feng declared, "The Nine Heavens Centipede Soul Masters will continue to remain hidden. This time, you won't be taking action!"
"As you command, Young Master!"
Old Nine wasn't the least bit surprised. They only intervened when the family faced existential threats or needed to intimidate other factions.
"Also, I plan to make a big commotion this time. Keep a close watch on the movements around the imperial palace and the Spirit Hall's main temple. See if you can identify any of the Spirit Hall's strongholds!
The Spirit Hall has a Titled Douluo specializing in poison, which poses the greatest threat to our family.
You must exercise extreme caution.
Just focus on identifying which locations have the most frequent comings and goings. We'll narrow it down gradually!"
Dugu Feng added after some thought. During the Heaven Dou Palace coup, Qian Renxue had mobilized three thousand Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall.
Dugu Feng was certain these forces hadn't been deployed on short notice.
Having impersonated Xue Qinghe for so many years, Qian Renxue must have been secretly expanding her influence, even converting some of the Spirit Hall's Soul Masters into Heaven Dou identities.
Or perhaps she had collaborated with certain families and factions to establish strongholds within Heaven Dou City.
Since they were bound to clash eventually, it was better to be prepared.
Amid the chaos in Heaven Dou City, some of their operations were bound to be exposed.
After issuing these orders, Dugu Feng returned to the estate.
In the conference hall, Dugu Feng waited briefly until Old Snake and Old Scorpion arrived.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on successfully absorbing your third Spirit Ring and advancing to Soul Expert! Your Soul Power Level is almost catching up to my boy's!" Old Snake immediately began flattering him with exaggerated praise.
"Little Snake is already at level 33. Given his cultivation speed, he's on par with the prodigies at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I think you're just secretly gloating, Old Snake!" Dugu Feng called him out directly.
Little Snake was around the same age as Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng was at level 36, Dugu Yan at level 35, and Little Snake was only two levels behind them.
If not compared to the protagonist group—who had cheated by consuming Immortal Herbs—Little Snake was undoubtedly within the genius category.
His rapid progress was mainly due to sheer diligence.
His life was even more monotonous than Dugu Feng's, consisting solely of cultivation.
Especially after Dugu Feng had twice detoxified him, greatly reducing the risk of poison flare-ups, Little Snake had thrown himself into training with even greater fervor.
Old Snake chuckled smugly.
"Old Snake, you'll accompany me to visit the Ge Family. Oh, and Prince Xue Xing as well.
The Ye Family is close to ours, Old Scorpion. Inform Uncle Ye that we'll need his assistance in the coming days!" Dugu Feng instructed directly.
Old Snake and Old Scorpion nodded in acknowledgment and immediately set off to carry out their tasks.
Dugu Feng wanted to speak directly with Marshal Ge Long of the Ge Family, so he wouldn't be visiting immediately.
Typically, such meetings had to wait until evening when Ge Long returned to his residence.
Moreover, he was going in his family's capacity, which was quite formal and required sending a formal visiting card first.
Old Snake had arranged the meeting with Prince Xue Xing as the first priority.
That afternoon, Dugu Feng met Xue Xing at the prince's residence.
During his father's poison inspection at the imperial palace, Dugu Feng had met Prince Xue Xing several times before.
They were already somewhat familiar.
"My worthy nephew's visit finds me unprepared for proper welcome. Please forgive this oversight and have some tea!"
Prince Xue Xing received Dugu Feng warmly in the main hall, showing great hospitality.
The two took their seats as host and guest respectively.
Dugu Feng said, "Your Highness is too kind. This junior comes regarding two unresolved cases within the imperial palace..."
Prince Xue Xing showed astonishment, "Has my worthy nephew discovered something?"
The deaths of the second and third princes had prompted Xue Ye the Great to order a thorough investigation.
But the poison was extremely subtle. While he suspected Xue Qinghe, he couldn't find any evidence whatsoever.
Dugu Feng smiled faintly: "To use poison with such flawless execution—there are only a handful on the entire continent capable of this."
"I believe searching for evidence is unnecessary. Anyone with the capability could be the culprit."
"Following this line of thought, I've actually discovered the true murderer!"
Prince Xue Xing's lips twitched slightly. For someone so young, this boy certainly spoke boldly and acted domineeringly.
By this logic, wouldn't the Dugu Family be the most suspicious of all?
Of course, he knew Dugu Feng was the young master of the Dugu Family and a top-tier genius who wouldn't make baseless claims.
He continued listening attentively.
"Poisoning must involve poison. Our family expended tremendous effort investigating all medicine-related businesses and organizations near Heaven Dou City."
"We finally traced one pharmacy—its true owner is Yang Wushuang."
"What does it mean when someone skilled in poison hides their identity within Heaven Dou City?"
Dugu Feng took a sip of tea before continuing slowly.
Prince Xue Xing immediately became unsettled.
Rumors said Yang Wushuang had defected to Spirit Hall.
Moreover, Prince Xue Xing had later learned about the incident during the six great families' meeting in Suotuo City.
The initial poisoning of Ge Ying was likely Yang Wushuang's doing.
Then Ghost Douluo had appeared.
This almost confirmed Yang Wushuang's allegiance to Spirit Hall.
If Yang Wushuang was hiding in Heaven Dou City, he very well could be behind the princes' poisoning.
But Spirit Hall stood behind Yang Wushuang.
Prince Xue Xing found this situation thorny.
His mind raced—was the Dugu Family planning to move against Yang Wushuang?
"The four single-attribute clans are currently gathering at the Strength Clan, and Yang Wudi of the Destruction Clan will attend."
"I plan to rally all parties to assist Clan Leader Yang in eliminating his family's traitor. What does Your Highness think?"
Assistance—or coercion?
Prince Xue Xing found himself impressed by Dugu Feng.
If this truly was Dugu Feng's own plan, then the Dugu Family's next generation was indeed rising.
"Our Heaven Dou Empire relies on the support of various Soul Master families to maintain its standing on the continent."
"Since you've formulated a plan, my worthy nephew, I'll certainly cooperate fully!"
Prince Xue Xing declared solemnly.
Seeing the prince's agreement, Dugu Feng straightforwardly laid out his entire plan.
The more Prince Xue Xing heard, the more excited he became—it was time for Heaven Dou to demonstrate its strength.
Two princes poisoned with no culprit caught had been a blow to the empire.
They spent another two hours discussing details before finalizing all arrangements.
Afterwards, Dugu Feng left the Prince's residence and arrived at the Ge Family, where things went equally smoothly.
Ge Long also agreed to cooperate.
That night, Dugu Feng returned to his residence and discussed matters with
Old Snake and Old Scorpion for a while before finally putting his mind at ease.
The Four Single Attribute Clans were subsidiary sects of the Clear Sky Sect. Targeting them this time could be considered fulfilling an obligation to the King of Slaughter.
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