After entering Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Xue Qinghe began probing indirectly while frequently inquiring about his grandfather's presence at the clan.
Dugu Yan couldn't maintain the act - compared to these two master performers, she feared exposing the truth!
What if she slipped up?
Thus, she found an excuse.
Made her escape!
If I can't act as well as you, can't I just leave?
With Dugu Yan gone, only Sword Douluo remained silently following behind while Xue Qinghe and Ning Rongrong chatted animatedly ahead.
"What happened with Poison Douluo being poisoned?" Xue Qinghe asked curiously about Dugu Yan's earlier mention.
"That's not really a secret. Since Sister Yan brought it up, I'll explain."
Ning Rongrong organized her thoughts. "Father planned to invite Senior Dugu to help regulate my health."
"As you know, Senior Dugu excels in both medicine and poison, so we sought to hire him at great cost."
"But we later discovered Senior Dugu himself suffers severe poisoning, as does Sister Yan - originating from their martial souls."
"Bone-Devouring Serpent poison?"
"Indeed." Ning Rongrong nodded. "You may know Senior Dugu's son and daughter-in-law died young due to martial soul toxicity."
"That's why he remains here - to utilize our resources for detoxification. Mutual benefit, really."
"How extraordinary." Xue Qinghe seemed contemplative.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's vast herb collections and medical capabilities made Dugu Bo's stay understandable.
"Has Poison Douluo's poison been cured yet?"
"Progress made, but requiring extended treatment. Sister Yan's toxicity being shallower was fully resolved."
"I see..."
Xue Qinghe's tone remained unreadably neutral.
"By the way, Education Commissioner Meng Shenji mentioned some friction between Rongrong and my brother Xue Beng?"
Here it comes. Knew this question was inevitable.
"Minor issues." Ning Rongrong replied. "Nothing serious - with the apprenticeship ceremony approaching, I avoided escalation."
"My gratitude." Xue Qinghe's eyes showed faint appreciation.
"Had things worsened, I wouldn't know how to reconcile. Had Patriarch Ning refused accepting me as disciple, it would have been lifelong regret."
"I've repeatedly urged Father to discipline Xue Beng, but Prince Xue Xing always intervenes, citing his youth."
Xue Qinghe's expression showed rare frustration.
"Though gifting a soul bone as compensation... Uncle Xue Xing dotes on Xue Beng excessively." His gaze turned to Ning Rongrong.
"Isn't familial affection good? At least... it feels less cold, wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?"
"Fair point." Noting how Ning Rongrong sidestepped the soul bone topic - whether intentional or not - Xue Qinghe let it drop.
"Your Highness, did you visit specifically for spirit herbs?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes shone clear.
"Even your personal visit likely won't secure significant discounts. Father guards our herbs jealously."
"Oh?" Xue Qinghe appeared surprised. "Teacher is that protective?"
"Every single herb." Ning Rongrong shrugged. "Senior Dugu plans to establish a Medicine Pavilion here for permanent research."
"As you know, every Top Clan desires additional Title Douluos."
"Understandable." Xue Qinghe nodded.
"Incidentally, Uncle Xue Xing mentioned Poison Douluo repaying a debt with a soul bone - he was quite distraught."
"That soul bone... wouldn't happen to be from Patriarch Ning?"
"Indeed." Uncertain of Xue Qinghe's probing, but with things laid this bare - short of stripping Prince Xue Xing naked - further concealment seemed pointless.
"Essentially, to secure Senior Dugu's medical consultation."
"We hoped for an extended stay, hence prepared a ten-thousand-year soul bone."
"Some unexpected developments, but we successfully invited Senior Dugu."
"My condition has improved significantly under his care. I even accompanied Sister Yan hunting her third ring."
"I see." Xue Qinghe nodded thoughtfully.
Their conversation continued until reaching guest quarters.
As night fell, Ning Rongrong and Sword Douluo departed after arranging accommodations for Xue Qinghe's Soul Ancestor and Soul King guards.
Returning to the clan's conference hall, they found Dugu Yan waiting impatiently.
"I don't understand how you and Qian Renxue maintain this act without embarrassment." Dugu Yan grimaced. "I nearly lost composure."
"Not at all, Sister Yan. Isn't it fun?" Ning Rongrong's lips curled.
"I know much about Qian Renxue, while she believes she understands me yet grasps nothing."
"Have you ever teased a cat, Sister Yan? That precise feeling."
"Er... your thought process eludes me." Dugu Yan's eye twitched.
Comparing the Worship Hall high priest's granddaughter, a 61st-ranked Soul Emperor, to a tame kitten?
"These details matter little." Ning Rongrong said. "However, she likely knows everything about Heaven Dou Empire events. Avoiding answers would raise suspicions."
"Wait - including gifting grandfather the soul bone? Extorting one from Xue Beng? She... knows everything?" Dugu Yan's eyes widened.
"Correct." Ning Rongrong sat down. "Emperor Xue Ye's court appears thoroughly infiltrated."
"Poor Emperor Xue Ye. Speaking of... Rongrong, don't you find Qian Renxue rather ruthless?"
"Given her current age, infiltrating as Xue Qinghe must have occurred when very young."
The first, second and third princes all died by Qian Renxue's hand years ago.
Which means...
Realization made Dugu Yan shudder violently.
Horrifying!
Most chilling - someone so merciless wields the sacred Seraphim martial soul.
Shouldn't it be called Fallen Seraphim instead?