"Old Scorpion, keep Yang Wushuang in your sights and continue releasing toxins!" Dugu Feng whispered to Old Scorpion beside him.
Both Old Scorpion and Old Snake had mastered the third stage of toxin release—every pore of their bodies could emit poison, silently attacking their enemies.
The Dugu Family alone was capable of killing Yang Wushuang.
Yet Dugu Feng chose to escalate matters, involving so many people and factions simultaneously.
By leveraging the four single-attribute clans to carry out the killing, his goal was merely to divert Spirit Hall's attention and create an illusion of unity within the Heaven Dou Empire.
But ultimately, Yang Wushuang had to die quickly.
Delays bred complications!
Finally, several roars echoed as another group joined the battlefield.
Titan, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi had arrived.
"Yang Wushuang, you traitor! Today, the four single-attribute clans will purge our ranks!" Titan transformed into a colossal gorilla, his muscular body swelling to several meters tall, his arms extending past his knees.
Black fur spread across his entire frame, radiating sheer power.
Niu Gao and Bai He also activated their Martial Soul Avatars.
Yang Wudi's eyes darkened as he charged forward.
"Each serves their own master—don't blame me!"
These were the only eight words Yang Wudi spoke as he closed in on Yang Wushuang.
Yang Wushuang bore some resemblance to Yang Wudi—both had tall, lean figures and ruthless gazes.
Surveying the surrounding figures, including his once-beloved elder brother, Yang Wushuang felt despair.
Yang Wudi's strength far surpassed his own, leaving him no chance of escape.
How could Yang Wushuang not understand the meaning behind Yang Wudi's words—"Each serves their own master"?
After the Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain gates, to ensure the clan's survival, he had proposed joining Spirit Hall.
He still remembered his elder brother's words:
"If you join Spirit Hall, you become one of them. You must remain loyal. Should we meet again, we'll be enemies—each relying on our own means.
"But if you're half-hearted, joining Spirit Hall only out of cowardice...
"The sect master will brand you a traitor, and Spirit Hall won't trust you either!"
He understood his brother's meaning—true commitment meant choosing a side and dedicating oneself fully to that path.
"May you elevate the Destruction Clan to greatness within Spirit Hall."
These were his elder brother's final blessings.
One brother went to Spirit City, the other to the Star Luo Empire—each serving their own master.
Yang Wushuang had heeded his brother's words. After joining Spirit Hall, he divulged all the Destruction Clan's and Clear Sky Sect's secrets.
Only then did he earn Qian Renxue's trust.
Otherwise, how could he have been involved in Qian Renxue's infiltration of Heaven Dou Empire—one of Spirit Hall's most classified operations?
He never imagined they'd meet again so soon.
And truly as sworn enemies.
"Each serves their own master!"
Yang Wushuang glanced at Xue Qinghe amidst the crowd, seeing only calm.
As someone deeply involved in Qian Renxue's plot to usurp the empire, he instantly realized she had no intention of revealing herself now.
Moreover, their preparations were too thorough—the disparity in strength was overwhelming.
There was no escape.
"Come then, if you want me dead!"
Yang Wushuang roared, unleashing his full power.
The Soul Breaking Spear's radiance emitted razor-sharp energy, causing all nearby spears to clatter violently.
Lance Intent surged forth.
He fought recklessly.
But in the end, he was no match for so many opponents.
Especially one spear light sharper than his own that pierced directly into his chest.
In the end, Yang Wushuang collapsed heavily to the ground.
Then the toxins in his body took effect, reducing him to withered bones in mere seconds.
Yang Wushuang—dead!
The entire battlefield fell silent.
A flicker of reluctance and anger flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes, quickly replaced by determination.
Yang Wushuang had been loyal to her, but given the current circumstances, even she couldn't save him.
This time, Prince Xue Xing had quietly orchestrated this by joining forces with several factions.
It fully demonstrated how far she still was from truly controlling Heaven Dou City.
Qian Renxue's heart turned cold—she had to accelerate her plans.
"Yang Wushuang had been lurking in Heaven Dou City for years, committing acts harmful to the Heaven Dou royal family. Clan Leader Yang's righteous act of sacrificing family ties for justice makes him a friend of Heaven Dou from now on."
Prince Xue Xing stood tall and proud, basking in his triumph.
Finally, he had excised the festering tumor that had been poisoning them in secret, avenging his two nephews.
His heart was filled with satisfaction.
Yang Wudi nodded, his expression growing even gloomier, a sour ache in his heart.
This day had come too quickly, leaving him unprepared—but reality was cruel like that.
As the battle concluded, Ye Qingxin activated his Nine Heart Begonia Spirit, casting healing lights upon the Soul Masters who had participated in the fight.
Treating their injuries.
Beside Ye Qingxin stood Ye Leng Leng, veiled, whom he had brought along today.
Ye Leng Leng's gaze occasionally drifted toward Dugu Feng not far away.
She thought to herself, the Dugu Family was full of ruthless, scheming people.
Ye Qingxin hadn't hidden the truth from her—the Dugu Family was undoubtedly one of the masterminds behind this plot.
If Yan Yan insisted on opposing this Dugu Feng, she would suffer sooner or later.
No—she had already suffered greatly.
She hoped Yan Yan wouldn't be so stubborn in the future. The two were cousins by blood—why go to such lengths?
Dugu Feng noticed Ye Leng Leng's gaze. This family was similar to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, possessing only supportive abilities.
Thus, they needed to rely on the strong—after all, even the most basic Spirit Ring hunts required the help of Battle Soul Masters.
But the Ye Family's Martial Soul had an even greater flaw: only two Nine Heart Begonia Spirits could exist at the same time.
This was why they hadn't grown into a major family.
Several of Ye Qingxin's Spirit Rings had been obtained with the Dugu Family's assistance, and the two families were closely allied, mutually dependent.
If nothing unexpected happened, the Dugu Family would also help Ye Leng Leng obtain her fourth Spirit Ring.
Once the Dugu Family grew stronger, the Ye Family could become a subsidiary sect under them.
If they could resolve the Martial Soul's flaw and develop the Ye Family into a minor clan, it would also enhance the family's supportive capabilities.
Dugu Feng had now grown accustomed to viewing things from the perspective of his family's interests.
He already regarded the Ye Family as his own.
Suddenly, Dugu Feng looked into the distance, where a tall man in red robes approached under the escort of twelve Temple Knights.
The minimum requirement to become a Temple Knight was level 51 Soul Power—meaning all twelve were at least Soul Kings.
The only one who could command such an entourage was Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall.
At a glance, Salas' heart sank.
Yang Wushuang was already dead—he had arrived too late.
"Prince Xue Xing, to carry out such a major event in Heaven Dou City without notifying me—what is the meaning of this?"
Salas' expression darkened as he voiced his displeasure.
"Your Excellency, pursuing fugitives is our Heaven Dou Empire's internal affair. There's no need to report to the Spirit Hall!
Moreover, we've already confirmed that Yang Wushuang is the murderer who poisoned the Second and
Third Princes.
When we found him, he was still concocting poison.
There are rumors that Yang Wushuang has already joined the Spirit Hall.
You're in such a hurry to come here—could it be you want to protect Yang Wushuang?"
Prince Xue Xing responded calmly.