A few days later, at Yunhai Academy, Yang Yunhai and the two Titled Douluo slipped back under cover of night, flying over the back mountain to return to their residence.
"Old poison, what's the current situation outside?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked first, seated across from Dugu Bo at the table. "We rushed back in such a hurry, we didn't have time to gather intelligence along the way."
"The nobles of the duchies and the members of the Heaven Dou royal family have already been purged," Dugu Bo said flatly.
"Xue'er invited the leaders of the duchies and Prince Xue Xing to discuss state affairs. On the pretense of unifying command, she asked them to hand over their military authority."
"The result was obvious—they refused."
"They claimed it violated ancestral law, that the empire was vast and communication inefficient, that centralizing power could delay military responses… a pile of excuses."
"The meeting ended badly, but the centralizing intentions Xue'er revealed shook their nerves. Afterward, their exchanges became frequent. Xue'er used the opportunity to activate the spies planted earlier by Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Rumors spread that the duchies intended to overthrow her rule—and conveniently implicated both Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng."
"To overthrow Xue'er and support Xue Beng?" Chrysanthemum Douluo arched a brow.
"Correct," Dugu Bo nodded. "If those two were to disappear for a time, suspicion alone would be fatal."
"With me and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan backing her, Emperor Xue Ye supports reclaiming military power to strengthen the empire against Star Luo. And if Xue Xing and Xue Beng conveniently vanish at a critical moment, how could suspicion not arise? Xue Ye was furious at the time."
"He fell ill with anger. The news spread, and suspicion grew rampant in court. Xue'er took advantage and sent people to investigate."
"The result? Of course Xue Xing and Xue Beng would be 'found' in other duchies."
"Imposters," Dugu Bo admitted with a slight nod. "But it doesn't matter—people believed it. The excuse was set."
"Afterward, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan leading and Spirit Hall soul masters in disguise assisting, they moved together to purge the royal houses of the duchies. Xue Xing and Xue Beng supposedly committed suicide from guilt. Xue'er's armies then moved in to take over governance."
"I personally went to guard the empire's borders to prevent Star Luo from exploiting the chaos."
"The real Xue Xing and Xue Beng were secretly executed and brought back to Heaven Dou. Emperor Xue Ye, heartbroken and enraged, soon died. That's about it."
"Xue'er is now reorganizing administration across the duchies. It will take time. That cannot be rushed."
"When the situation stabilizes, she'll move on the soul master forces within the empire."
"So fast? Just a few months." Chrysanthemum Douluo clicked his tongue.
"Isn't it natural?" Dugu Bo said blandly. "So what if the duchy nobles had armies? They had no true strength. How could they resist the combined strike of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Spirit Hall? And as for the people—those nobles had long abused and oppressed them. The common folk were glad to see them die."
"The moment they were executed, we already had all their crimes documented and presented. We even had a few choice secret letters ready."
"A duchy is still imperial land. With evidence clear, the emperor judged them guilty. Who could object?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded lightly, then heard Dugu Bo ask, "And your mission?"
"Relatively smooth." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded and explained the events on Sea God Island.
Yang Yunhai then followed with an account of their journey to the Sun Moon Continent. Afterward, he summoned Yin Hua to meet them, and Yiner also appeared, sitting at his side.
"Grandfather, please have these two letters delivered to the Ye family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan tomorrow," Yang Yunhai said, handing over letters.
"Alright." Dugu Bo took them.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "Once it's dark, I'll enter the palace to see Xue'er."
"You should." Dugu Bo smiled. "Your two little ones are already walking. If you'd been later, they'd be calling you 'father' without you even there."
"Time flies. Xiao Hai's children are already one year old," Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed.
"Indeed." Yang Yunhai also felt a pang of emotion.
Chrysanthemum Douluo shifted the subject. "Old poison, how's your cultivation lately?"
"Still at rank 97. I'm missing a key opportunity to break through," Dugu Bo admitted helplessly.
"Old Ghost and I are stuck at bottlenecks as well," Chrysanthemum Douluo said. "At this point, we can only take it slow."
Yang Yunhai smiled. "My fifth soul skill might provide some assistance. Back in the academy's forest, my gift as the Child of Nature should also come into play."
"No rush." Dugu Bo nodded. "With our strength, wiping out the Clear Sky Sect would be easy."
Yang Yunhai chuckled, rising from his seat. "If there's nothing else, I'll go see Xue'er."
Before long, he descended gracefully into the Heaven Dou Palace.
"Greetings, Holy Son," the Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo standing guard outside greeted politely.
'I've become the Holy Son of Spirit Hall?' Yang Yunhai was slightly startled, then nodded. "Thank you, elders."
"Merely our duty," Snake Lance Douluo said with a smile.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded. The door opened, and Qian Renxue's stunning figure appeared.
Yang Yunhai smiled faintly, stepped forward, clasped her hand, and led her inside. The Titled Douluo outside shut the door.
"The children?" Yang Yunhai asked.
"They're already asleep in the next room," Qian Renxue replied.
Yang Yunhai bent down, scooped her into his arms, and strode inside.
"So shameless," Qian Muxue muttered in the spiritual sea.
An hour later, defeated, she retreated into silence.
'Little lass, your cultivation may have grown, but mine is higher now.' Yang Yunhai felt triumphant, embracing soft warmth as he drifted to sleep.
The next morning, sunlight high, Yang Yunhai cast a grand healing on Qian Renxue, restoring her to peak condition. Hand in hand, they went to see the children.
The two toddlers, not shy at all, toddled unsteadily toward them with open arms.
Yang Yunhai swept them up, pacing joyfully around the room.
After a while, he set them down and drew toys from his soul tool, brought back from the Sun Moon Continent. Compared to Douluo, the Sun Moon's technology produced far more sophisticated toys. With no shortage of money, he had bought two of everything.
Qian Renxue joined in, smiling, helping the children play. Warmth filled the room.
Elsewhere, in the Moon Pavilion—
"Xiao San, the new year approaches. The situation is unstable. Xue Qinghe purged several duchies and consolidated Heaven Dou's authority with thunderous methods. I suspect his next target will be the soul master forces within the empire. I plan to return to our sect with your uncle to discuss future strategy," Tang Yuehua said seriously to Tang San.
"Xiao San, will you come with me? Your Uncle can pass down sect techniques to you."
"No. My situation is special. I won't bring trouble to you," Tang San shook his head. "Better safe than sorry. Prudence is best right now."
Tang Yuehua considered, then nodded. "Very well. Stay here at the Moon Pavilion. When I return, I'll give you one last test. If you pass, you'll be qualified to go to that place."
"Alright," Tang San said evenly, nodding.
Two quarters later, Tang Yuehua departed the Moon Pavilion grandly by carriage.
"Another test… is it necessary?" Tang San murmured calmly, watching from a high place as the carriage vanished.
'I've already learned to control my emotions. Another test is just a waste of time. Rather than wait, I'd rather head to Sunset Forest and cultivate further.'
At present, his soul rank was 57, only a month or so from 58. Reaching 60 would not take long.
'No way Yang Yunhai's cultivation speed surpasses mine. During the Soul Master Tournament, he was only a Soul Ancestor.'
Turning toward Yunhai Academy, Tang San muttered, "Yang Yunhai, just wait."
"That day isn't far away!"
(End of Chapter)
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