With the support of Emperor Xue Ye, the two great single-attribute clans were able to breathe much easier.
While ordinary armies could never compare to soul master legions in individual combat, their overwhelming numbers gave them an undeniable advantage. On the battlefield, even the soul master corps would hesitate to face hundreds of thousands of soldiers head-on. After all, the resources required to cultivate a single soul master far exceeded those for ordinary soldiers—losing them was a loss no nation could easily bear.
This meeting was, at its core, simply a gathering for the great powers to exchange words. The main purpose remained the same: mutual defense and preparing to stand together against Spirit Hall.
Dustwind sat quietly, feigning rapt attention, but his gaze never strayed far from Xue Qinghe.
And when the word godhood was mentioned, Dustwind caught it—the prince's body trembled ever so slightly.
"Elder Dustwind, when this meeting concludes, stay behind. As a rising star of the younger generation, I wish to speak with you alone."
Emperor Xue Ye's words seemed ordinary to most, but Dustwind understood the hidden meaning.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Dustwind replied calmly.
Before long, everyone else left the council hall in succession—ministers, guards, and even the palace maids.
Only the emperor and Dustwind remained.
Xue Ye stood and moved toward a side passage, beckoning for Dustwind to follow.
At a side door, the emperor produced a small, delicate key, faint mist swirling around it. It was, surprisingly, a specially crafted soul tool.
"This chamber is fitted with a unique soundproofing soul device. No matter how loud we speak, nothing will leak outside. Here, we may talk in absolute safety."
Inside, the room was not large—roughly the size of two bedrooms—with a small bath chamber and a wardrobe included.
Its decor carried an oddly intimate atmosphere. Dustwind's eyes twitched when he spotted certain… items that should not have been visible at all—small whips, sheer garments, and other things best left unmentioned.
Seriously? Don't tell me this is the chamber where Emperor Xue Ye and his concubines… indulge themselves? Dustwind's expression darkened.
The emperor noticed as well. With an embarrassed cough, he quickly swept the questionable objects aside. "I apologize. This is the only room equipped with that soundproofing tool. Only here can I feel secure."
Alone, Xue Ye's imperial airs fell away. Though he still looked middle-aged, streaks of silver lined his temples—a testament to the countless worries that weighed upon him.
He sighed heavily, seeming to age years in an instant. "Elder Dustwind, speak plainly. Who is Spirit Hall's spy?"
Dustwind answered directly. "Xue Qinghe."
"What?!"
Xue Ye's entire body stiffened. He shook his head violently. "Impossible!"
His eldest son—the heir apparent to the empire—a spy for Spirit Hall? He would sooner believe Dustwind himself a traitor.
Dustwind's voice remained steady. "I understand this is difficult to accept. But I do not speak without evidence. If I am not mistaken, Xue Qinghe has been poisoning you with a slow-acting toxin. It is an extremely complex poison—colorless, tasteless. If left unchecked, once it erupts, even immortals would be powerless to save you.
If you doubt me, summon Poison Douluo. He can verify it himself."
That struck a chord. Poison Douluo maintained close ties with the imperial family and was one of the few Titled Douluo Xue Ye truly trusted. If Dustwind dared suggest him as a witness, it lessened suspicion considerably.
"My son… has been poisoning me?"
The emperor's face turned pale.
Dustwind shook his head. "I did not say the current Crown Prince is truly Xue Qinghe."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the real Xue Qinghe has long been dead. The one wearing his face is an imposter—Spirit Hall's own. Her true identity is Qian Renxue, daughter of the former Pope Qian Xunji!"
The revelation struck like thunder. Xue Ye's eyes went wide. He immediately ordered his guards to summon Poison Douluo.
Not long after, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo entered, accompanied by Prince Xue Xing.
"Your Majesty," Dugu Bo asked, "what is it you require?"
"Elder Dugu, examine me. Tell me—have I been poisoned?"
Dustwind sat calmly to the side, unperturbed. The poisoning was a fact; no one could change that, so why worry?
Dugu Bo gave Dustwind a sharp look, then focused on the emperor. Without another word, he pressed his palm against Xue Ye's wrist, channeling soul power through his meridians.
As bearer of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, his mastery over toxins was unmatched. His very title—Poison—was proof.
Moments later, his face hardened.
"Your Majesty," he said gravely, "your body contains not one toxin… but seven!"
"Seven?!"
Xue Ye nearly collapsed. Only a master of poisons could concoct such a terrifying mixture. Desperate, he asked if an antidote existed.
Dugu Bo shook his head slowly. "I cannot promise success. I can only… try."
The emperor's face turned ashen.
Dustwind, however, remained composed. Of course, Dugu Bo couldn't solve it—he didn't even recognize the poison. Dustwind knew well: this was a blended toxin, crafted from seven deadly venoms. Its name—Seven-Colored Venom.
And only one man could have created it—Yang Wushuang of the Po Clan.
"Summon Clan Chief Yang Wudi," Dustwind said firmly. "The Po Clan specializes in pharmacology. With his decades of experience, perhaps he can find a cure."
Soon enough, Yang Wudi arrived. The doors closed once more, and he carefully probed the emperor's body.
When he finished, his expression was grim.
"Clan Chief Yang," Xue Ye asked anxiously, "can I still be saved?"
Yang Wudi took a deep breath. "Yes. To be honest, this poison is none other than my clan's ultimate mixed toxin—Seven-Colored Venom. Only two people know how to create it—and my younger brother, Yang Wushuang. Yet somehow… it has found its way into Your Majesty's body."
His eyes darkened. "Could it be… my brother never died? That he has surrendered to Spirit Hall?"
It was only speculation, but undeniable—the poison came from Yang Wushuang's hand. As patriarch of the Po Clan, Yang Wudi had to bear responsibility.
"Fortunately, Your Majesty," Yang Wudi continued, "you've only been afflicted by the initial stage of Seven-Colored Venom. Treating it will not be difficult."
Relief washed over Xue Ye's face.
But the fact remained: Dustwind's warning was no baseless claim.
Which meant Spirit Hall's infiltrator was indeed Xue Qinghe—no, Qian Renxue.