The Breaking Clan.
"What?"
"You're saying Emperor Xue Ye was poisoned by a very strange toxin?"
Yang Wudi nodded slightly.
"Yes!"
"Emperor Xue Ye was poisoned by a toxin never before seen on Douluo Continent."
"I suspect..."
"This was something Yang Wushuang configured for Spirit Hall while he was alive."
He hadn't spoken of this matter when at Tian Dou Imperial Palace.
Although Yang Wushuang had defected to Spirit Hall, he was ultimately a member of the Breaking Clan before that.
If others learned this was a poison configured by Yang Wushuang, the Tian Dou Imperial Family would certainly believe he, Yang Wudi, possessed the antidote.
But... he didn't!
Yang Wushuang's talent and ability in refining poisons were actually above his own, and configuring antidotes wasn't something accomplished overnight. Moreover, many poisons couldn't have antidotes configured even by those who developed them.
But he knew!
If others learned Emperor Xue Ye died from a poison configured by Yang Wushuang, these people would only believe the Breaking Clan didn't want to save Emperor Xue Ye.
"Yao Lao."
"This matter still needs you to step in and help."
Yang Wudi stood up and bowed slightly.
If it were before, this would have been difficult to ask, but in recent years, their relationship had grown increasingly close because of Yang Fan.
"Tell me about Emperor Xue Ye's poisoning condition."
"Chronic poison. Now his entire body shows blackened blood vessels spreading toward the heart. Once they reach the heart, it means Emperor Xue Ye's life will end."
It didn't matter if Emperor Xue Ye died.
The key was passing the throne into the hands of that waste Xue Beng.
Although the Breaking Clan had now completely turned their fortunes around, their Blood Coagulation Powder business still relied on Tian Dou Empire's prosperity as its foundation.
Furthermore...
Spirit Hall had now established itself as Spirit Empire.
Wanting to confront them head-on inevitably required relying on Tian Dou Empire's military forces.
Xue Beng becoming emperor...
That would truly be a "snow collapse".
(T/N: a pun as Xue Beng's name translates to 'snow collapse' literally and means avalanche)
"How long do you think Emperor Xue Ye can still live?"
Yang Wudi thought briefly: "Half a month more shouldn't be a problem."
"Then let Tian Dou Imperial Palace keep their emperor hanging on for another half month. After half a month, I'll enter the palace with you to check what's actually going on."
Yao Lao wasn't the least bit flustered.
Saving people depended on strength.
With strength, it was a matter of minutes. Without strength, kneeling to death before Emperor Xue Ye would be useless.
"Alright!"
"I've already left two young men from the Speed Clan there. If anything happens to Emperor Xue Ye, they'll return to notify me."
...
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Sword Uncle."
"Do you think Yao Lao will make a move this time?"
Ning Fengzhi would never have asked such an unanswerable question before.
But he was truly at a loss now!
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always supported Xue Qinhe, who turned out to be a traitor.
And even his student.
If they let the always-suppressed Xue Beng ascend the throne at this time, it clearly wouldn't be a good thing.
Although with Douluo Continent's current situation, the Tian Dou Empire would still fawn over them.
But what about later?
When Ning Rongrong inherited the position of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Leader, and Xue Beng ascended Tian Dou Empire's throne...
Just thinking of this future made his stomach inexplicably churn.
Uncomfortable!
Everyone said Star Luo Empire faced internal and external troubles now, but wasn't the future of his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect the same?
"Mm..."
"I believe he will."
"Although the Breaking Clan has explicitly stated they don't participate in politics, Yang Wudi should be very clear that if Xue Beng succeeds as emperor now, it benefits them not at all."
"Although Qian Renxue didn't successfully seize Tian Dou Empire's throne, having that waste Xue Beng succeed is presumably something they want to see."
"If we can understand this problem, I believe Yang Wudi understands it very clearly himself."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly.
Chen Xin's words made him feel much more at ease.
If Yao Lao could let Emperor Xue Ye live another twenty years, he could use these twenty years to revitalize the relationship with the Tian Dou Empire's next generation.
As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's own development...
That would fall on his daughter Ning Rongrong's shoulders.
"Fengzhi."
"Actually, we don't need to worry so much."
"If Yang Wudi can't persuade Yao Lao, then the two of us will personally go invite him out of seclusion."
"Isn't Yao Lao always searching for some medicinal materials?"
"At worst, we'll use this as a condition to exchange with him. With our sincere hearts exchanging for his, are we still afraid we can't move him?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled bitterly.
Helping Yao Lao find medicine seemed much more difficult than saving Emperor Xue Ye's life in his view.
After all!
Yao Lao had taken Yang Fan running across the entire Douluo Continent, spending over a dozen years without finding the medicinal materials.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's informants covered all of Douluo Continent, wanting to find rare medicinal materials in a short time was no simple matter.
...
Half a month later...
Tian Dou Imperial Palace.
Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, Yang Wudi... and all the prominent imperial nobles of the Tian Dou Empire were present.
However...
At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Yao Lao, who was suspended in mid-air above the palace.
These figures who could make the ground tremble three times with a single stomp anywhere on Douluo Continent, yet not a single person spoke first.
All of them were waiting!
Waiting for Yao Lao to display his divine powers.
It had already been half a month...
All the famous doctors Tian Dou Empire could find had already tried. All the poison experts who came shook their heads.
In short: they had no solutions.
If there was no turnaround today, then the Tian Dou Empire would truly stage the drama of the old king's death and the new king's ascension.
Even...
Xue Beng, standing beside Emperor Xue Ye crying crocodile tears, had already prepared his dragon robe.
The moment his father passed away, he would immediately ascend as the new emperor.
"Come!"
"Let me see what exactly is going on."
At this moment...
Everyone made way for Yao Lao, opening a path to Emperor Xue Ye's dragon couch.
Still, no one dared to speak.
The moment Yao Lao made his move, he immediately displayed the difference between himself and ordinary healing-type soul masters.
Soul force released!
Soul force like needle tips instantly pierced into Emperor Xue Ye's body.
They only saw Emperor Xue Ye, lying on the bed, give a slight grunt, and the next second he passed out.
Dead... dead?
Everyone looked at Yao Lao in surprise.
This was no joking matter!
Emperor Xue Ye dying from treatment and dying from illness lying in bed were two completely different meanings.
This was also why no one dared to act rashly before Demigod-level Yao Lao. If it were an ordinary healing-type soul master, they would have already been dragged out.
However...
Before everyone could confirm whether Emperor Xue Ye was still alive, Yao Lao, standing ten meters away, raised his hand and struck down with a palm.
Thick palm force instantly acted on Emperor Xue Ye's chest, and immediately a mouthful of old black blood sprayed from Emperor Xue Ye's mouth.
"Done!"
"Just have him take this pill next."
Yao Lao casually tossed the pill toward a palace attendant, regardless of the attendant's position or whether they could catch it.
"I'm leaving!"
Yao Lao had thought it was some major problem.
But... this was it?
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