Bonus chapter for 50 powerstones
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There are no walls in the world so thick that no wind can pass through. No matter how carefully one acts, there will always be traces left behind.
Through a series of subtle and uncertain clues, Emperor Xue Ye came to a chilling conclusion:
His own crown prince had most likely been turned by the Spirit Hall—and was now secretly plotting to usurp the entire Heaven Dou Empire!
Although he lacked irrefutable evidence, those who could ascend to an emperor's throne were never known for being soft-hearted.
In times of uncertainty, they often preferred to strike first.
But before Emperor Xue Ye could act on his suspicions and issue an order to apprehend the prince, the prince himself made the first move—
With a powerful team of deathsworn Spirit Masters, he broke through the capital's defenses and fled from Heaven Dou. Since then, his whereabouts had remained unknown.
By this point, Dugu Bo had already laid out the general sequence of events.
"So that means Qinghe is now hiding somewhere outside…"
Paimon patted her chest, seemingly relieved on Xue Qinghe's behalf.
"Mhm. The entire Heaven Dou City is now under lockdown."
Dugu Bo's eyes were solemn as he spoke.
So Bibi Dong had come, looking for Qian Renxue who was disguised as Xue Qinghe…
Aether sighed inwardly.
He hadn't expected that all of this chaos would ultimately be caused—indirectly—by himself.
From Dugu Bo's account, it wasn't hard to deduce that Bibi Dong had come seeking Qian Renxue after finally figuring something out.
But with the complicated bitterness between mother and daughter since childhood, it was unlikely Qian Renxue could accept it so easily.
And Bibi Dong herself was a proud and unyielding woman, which had only escalated the confrontation.
All her years of careful planning… wasted.
Aether's mind drifted back to that girl who had cried in front of him before they parted ways.
"What about the Spirit Hall personnel in Heaven Dou City?"
Aether finally asked.
If Qian Renxue had escaped, it was likely she'd try to return to the Spirit Hall, right?
Given how paranoid Emperor Xue Ye was, had the Spirit Hall's branch within the city already been dealt with?
"The Spirit Hall's branch in Heaven Dou is still operating as usual."
Dugu Bo seemed to grasp what Aether was getting at. He continued:
"Your Excellency, Xue Ye has always been deeply wary of the Spirit Hall.
Even though he suspects the prince of colluding with them, he's taken no direct action. He doesn't even show the slightest intention of confronting them."
"The arrest of Prince Xue Qinghe was officially declared an act of treason. As for the Spirit Hall? Not a single soul has dared to bring them up."
"I see…"
Aether nodded slightly.
So Xue Ye, though enraged, had not lost his reason.
Ever since the Clear Sky Clan closed itself off from the world, the Spirit Hall had effectively become the uncrowned king in the eyes of many factions.
To move against them rashly—even for an empire—would bring no real benefit.
And this was when the Spirit Hall had yet to reveal its true foundation.
From what he remembered, even in the future, it would take Tang San allying with several sects and both empires just to have a chance at waging decisive war against the Spirit Hall.
With the situation in Heaven Dou already set in motion, and with Qian Renxue now having escaped, she should be safe for now.
As the Spirit Hall's heiress, she had no shortage of elite protectors.
Still… Aether couldn't help but feel some guilt over the part he'd played.
Perhaps if her relationship with Bibi Dong could somehow be repaired because of all this, the losses might just be worth it.
Once this matter was settled, he would go to Spirit Hall and check on her himself.
Noticing that Aether and his group didn't seem to have returned because of this turmoil, Dugu Bo asked:
"By the way, Your Excellency, since you didn't know about all this, then your return this time is for…"
"Mhm. There is something I'd like to ask your help with."
Aether nodded, temporarily setting aside thoughts of Heaven Dou's upheaval.
"Please speak freely, Your Excellency. If it's something I can do, I won't hesitate!"
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, his tone firm and unwavering.
Though the world often spoke of him as eccentric and sinister, Dugu Bo was the kind of man who repaid kindness tenfold.
Prince Xue Xing had once shown him great favor, and Dugu Bo had served as the prince's personal powerhouse within the royal court for decades because of it.
And now, after receiving so much grace from Aether, he'd long been thinking about how he could ever repay even a portion of it.
Seeing this opportunity finally present itself, how could he not be delighted?
Since Dugu Bo was so eager, Aether didn't hesitate and immediately explained what he had in mind.
"Your Excellency, I won't speak for everything, but when it comes to beast-type Spirits, I do have some knowledge.
I'll definitely help these two young ladies find suitable spirit beasts!"
Dugu Bo's response was filled with excitement—this was right in his area of expertise!
As Aether had previously guessed, people often said "long illness makes a good doctor."
In order to overcome his own Spirit's flaws, Dugu Bo had spent all his spare time—when not cultivating or caring for his granddaughter—researching beast-type Spirits.
He had pored over every ancient text he could get his hands on, conducting countless experiments on himself, and eventually accumulated a trove of firsthand experience.
And this experience was precisely related to improving physical constitution and compatibility—exactly what Aether needed.
In a way, Dugu Bo was practically a living soul ring locator for Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Thank you, Grandpa!"
Yu Keke immediately bowed sweetly.
"Thank you…"
Zhu Zhuqing also offered a soft word of thanks.
"Haha~ No need, no need."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily, waving his hand.
Looking at the two pretty girls in front of him—both of whom seemed even younger than his own granddaughter—he felt particularly fond.
"Oh right, Your Excellency—my granddaughter Yanyan just had a breakthrough a few days ago.
She needs to hunt her fourth soul ring soon. Would it be alright if I brought her along with us?"
As it happened, Dugu Bo had originally planned to join the instructors from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to help his granddaughter find a suitable ring.
But now that Aether was here, how could he miss the opportunity?
"Of course," Aether replied without hesitation.
"Excellent. You must all be tired from your journey. Why don't you come into the city and rest for the night? Tomorrow, I'll bring Yanyan along, and then we can set off together—how does that sound?"
Dugu Bo looked around the simple post station. On the table, there were only two leftover buns.
He figured that Aether and the others had just arrived, noticed something off, and immediately summoned him.
"Grandpa… Qinghe's not in the city anymore. If we go in, will they arrest us?"
Paimon's mood was visibly low. Without Qinghe in the capital, even the food seemed less appetizing.
"They won't."
Dugu Bo quickly shook his head.
As a titled Douluo—and not a member of Prince Qinghe's faction—bringing a few people into the city was a simple matter.
Even if Emperor Xue Ye found out later who he'd brought in, it was unlikely he'd dare make a fuss.
"Alright then, we'll trouble you, Uncle Dugu."
Seeing the situation was under control, Aether agreed without further hesitation.
Since the Spirit Hall branch in the city was still intact, he could stop by and ask about Qian Renxue's current condition.
_
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