"That woman has already left Spirit Hall." Qian Renxue, still disguised as Xue Qinghe, sighed inwardly while reading the letter from Spirit Hall.
"Uncle Ci Xue, Uncle She Long, have you located Yu Xiaogang? Is it really him?"
"According to our informants, it's confirmed to be Yu Xiaogang of the Golden Iron Triangle."
She Long reported after some thought,
"He's currently teaching at some academy called Shrek. Also present are Zhao Wuji wanted by Spirit Hall and Flender, another member of the Golden Iron Triangle."
"The Golden Iron Triangle? I've heard that name famous for their Spirit Fusion Skill, right?"
"Indeed." Ci Xue nodded. "Rumors say their fusion skill rivals a Soul Douluo's power. If not for Yu Xiaogang's pathetic 29th-rank strength, it might have challenged Title Douluos."
"Oh? How interesting." Qian Renxue commented idly as flames ignited the letter in her hand, quickly reducing it to ashes.
"That Yu Xiaogang he's from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, correct?" She dusted off her hands, scattering the charred remnants.
"Yes." Ci Xue confirmed. "Son of the current clan leader Yu Yuanzhen. But his spirit mutation failed, leaving him with half-level innate spirit power. Stuck at rank 29."
"I see..." Qian Renxue's eyelids fluttered slightly. "Wasn't he known for some 'Ten Great Core Competencies' theory?"
"How did such nonsense spread so widely after decades of obscurity?"
"This..."
Ci Xue and She Long exchanged uneasy glances, words stuck in their throats.
"Never mind. I know it must be that woman's doing." Qian Renxue spoke as if discussing trivial gossip.
"She chose to betray my father for that trash? Teacher-student bonds couldn't withstand some sweet talk?" Her tone remained light but carried icy undertones.
If Spirit Hall's intelligence failed, she'd simply investigate through Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Raised with elite training and twin spirits with innate full spirit power yet fooled by some nobody's flattery.
If you crave men, must it be from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?
"Hmph. That woman was spoiled rotten with nothing better to do."
"Clueless about the world's dangers easily led astray by empty words."
Qian Renxue shook her head ruefully.
Unlike herself!
Battling wits in Heaven Dou Empire exposed her to every vile noble's schemes.
Watching Qian Renxue's frustrated expression from her seat, She Long and Ci Xue hesitated to interject.
After all, regardless of conflicts, Bibi Dong remained her mother.
"Young Mistress, I'm unsure whether to voice this..." After lengthy silence, Ci Xue resolved to speak his mind.
"Uncle She Long, Uncle Ci Xue, no need for such formality with me." Qian Renxue sighed.
"Speak freely. I often overlook details requiring your counsel."
Ci Xue nodded. "I suspect Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Ning Fengzhi is manipulating events behind the scenes."
"Eh... Uncle Ci Xue, why think that?" Xue Qinghe's delicate features showed genuine surprise.
"Using pills to instigate conflict between Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall profiting from their strife." Ci Xue explained seriously.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Qian Renxue waved dismissively.
"First, how could that minor clan challenge Spirit Hall? Second, why provoke internal conflict between me and that woman?"
"Setting aside feasibility, even Elder Golden Crocodile couldn't see through my disguise let alone Ning Fengzhi's Soul Sage level."
"What could Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo possibly detect?"
"Even if hypothetically my identity were exposed and this was Ning Fengzhi's scheme, what would he gain? A beating?"
With Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan destroyed and Clear Sky Clan reclusive, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would become Spirit Hall's next target.
Unless brain-damaged, no one would think that minor clan could oppose Spirit Hall.
Allying with them now served Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's interests best.
"Uncle Ci Xue, your hypothesis lacks foundation." Qian Renxue reasoned patiently. "Besides, investigating Bibi Dong through Ning Fengzhi was my idea."
"Actually, it's straightforward." She organized her thoughts.
"Dugu Bo accidentally created the Spirit Douluo Breakthrough Pill while making other medicines, then sold it."
"That woman learned of it, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan too hence both came to purchase."
"Simple coincidences centered around Yu Xiaogang. No need for convoluted theories."
"Perhaps I overthought it." Ci Xue conceded after reflection. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan lacked motive the risk-reward ratio made no sense.
"No need for paranoia. The world isn't that complicated." She Long patted Ci Xue's shoulder. If everything required scheming,
someone as straightforward as himself could never have reached 92nd-rank Title Douluo.
He'd have been tricked into pig-farming in some backwater by now.
"Speaking of which, Young Mistress, must you really visit Shrek?"
"I worry..."
"I just want to observe this 'Grandmaster' who enchanted that woman." Qian Renxue said. "We won't interfere. Grandfather likely knows about Yu Xiaogang too."
"Should we request reinforcements from the Worship Hall?" Ci Xue still feared accidentally getting all three killed.
"Unnecessary." Qian Renxue declined. "Title Douluos above 95th-rank have no time for trivialities they barely have enough cultivation time."
Not everyone had her grandfather Qian Daoliu's leisure.
As he said: no matter how hard he trained, godhood remained impossible!
Hence his freedom fighting in Star Dou Great Forest one year, clashing with Bibi Dong the next.
"Let's go inform Emperor Xue Ye I've had a breakthrough and wish to travel."
"If denied, have the three Heaven Dou Royal Academy deans vouch for me."
For her plans, Qian Renxue had spent years covertly recruiting the academy's three Soul Douluo deans.
Not as herself, but as Xue Qinghe claiming deep cooperation with Spirit Hall.
With Emperor Xue Ye's declining health, officials were choosing sides.
Though uninvolved in politics, the deans recognized Xue Qinghe as the inevitable next emperor not someone to offend.
Ultimately, their mediation secured Qian Renxue's "vacation" from the emperor.