High in the sky, Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan stood calmly in the void. Surrounding them were the massive forms of a black-patterned Ghost Leopard, a venomous Porcupine, a flaming Spirit Kite, and a double-headed Golden Snake, shielding them in the center.
Looking down at the crowd that had abandoned all resistance, Gu Xuan slowly descended. Ghost Leopard Douluo and the others, acting as his guardians, deactivated their Martial Soul Avatars.
The ground was now permeated with the metallic scent of blood mixed with the acrid smell of charred flesh. Those of the Saint Dragon Clan who had chosen to follow Tuoba Yu in his resistance had been completely eradicated by Spirit Kite Douluo.
Tuoba Yu was not yet dead, but he was covered in blood, lying there gasping for breath, having lost all combat capability. For a Rank 91 to hold his own against three Titled Douluos—one of whom was the Rank 95 Super Douluo Ghost Leopard—survival alone was a testament to his formidable vitality.
Gu Xuan approached Tuoba Yu, reached out with his right hand, and gripped his throat, lifting him directly off the ground. Standing two meters tall, Gu Xuan held Tuoba Yu up so that the man's body was forced to stand upright before him.
"I admire your loyalty. It is a pity you followed the wrong person. Out of respect for that loyalty, I will grant you an honorable burial," Gu Xuan said. His right hand exerted a slight pressure, directly snapping Tuoba Yu's neck and ending his life.
Toward his enemies, Gu Xuan would not show even a shred of mercy. Only by strangling all threats could absolute safety be guaranteed.
"A shame. Such a loyal man did not belong to my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan." Gu Xuan slowly laid Tuoba Yu's body down, running his hand over the man's face to close those eyes filled with unwillingness and resentment.
Hearing Gu Xuan's words, Ghost Leopard Douluo and the other three felt a jolt of alarm. They simultaneously dropped to their knees, utterly indifferent to whether anyone was watching.
"Young Master, we are willing to serve the clan until death! Even if we die, we shall have no regrets!"
As the four suddenly proclaimed their loyalty, Gu Xuan merely waved a hand and continued. "Welcome the army into the palace. Clear out the rebels and purge the palace. Preserve Tuoba's body well and bring it back to the clan for a grand burial."
Having finished his orders, Gu Xuan led Dugu Yan into the Clear Hearts Hall—Emperor Xue Ye's residence—which had been mostly demolished by Tuoba Yu.
"Yes," the four Titled Douluos responded in unison.
Though they were powerful Titled Douluos, they were now executing Gu Xuan's orders like minor officers. As for protecting Gu Xuan's safety, the memory of him single-handedly suppressing the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos during the rescue of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was still fresh in their minds. In this place, the safest spot was right next to Gu Xuan.
Although much of the Clear Hearts Hall had been destroyed, the core areas remained intact. Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan walked along the broken corridor. Dugu Yan spoke. "Xiao Xuan, you were exceptionally domineering today."
Gu Xuan held Dugu Yan's soft hand and looked back at her. "Are you afraid?"
"I am not. In the future, you will reach the summit and unify the continent. An iron-fisted approach is a necessity for you," Dugu Yan smiled slightly. "As for me, I will just stay by your side and be your supportive wife."
Gu Xuan smiled tenderly. "That sounds good. But as the 'Big Sister,' you must work hard. Rongrong and Sister Xue have already begun their God trials."
At those words, Dugu Yan's expression dimmed slightly. She grumbled. "Did you not say that Slaughter City was the inheritance ground of the Asura God? Why have we seen no sign of Him bestowing a trial upon us?"
Gu Xuan shook his head. "I don't know the specifics, but we can return to Slaughter City later to take a look. Perhaps a surprise will await us."
Dugu Yan nodded, not dwelling on the subject. For her, this was indeed a disadvantage compared to Ning Rongrong and Qian Renxue.
The two entered the depths of the Clear Hearts Hall. Passing through two corridors and a grand hall, they arrived at a study. This was the inner cabinet of the residence, the place where Emperor Xue Ye usually rested and occasionally reviewed Xue Qinghe's administrative skills.
Entering the cabinet, the decor was simple. A desk was piled high with scrolls, and further in was a bed. Emperor Xue Ye lay on the bed, his life force already extinguished. The second fake Xue Qinghe, Li Nuo, sat at the desk, looking at the entering Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan with terrified eyes.
The moment he saw them, Li Nuo knew the Saint Dragon Douluo and the others were likely dead. He realized his own life was reaching its end. This was an outcome he had never considered; he served Spirit Hall, after all. How could such a powerful faction lose?
Looking at the fake Xue Qinghe, Li Nuo, Gu Xuan noticed the man wasn't using any disguise techniques. His natural appearance was identical to the version of Xue Qinghe that Qian Renxue simulated with her soul bone skill. Even if Qian Renxue hadn't told him, Gu Xuan could guess why.
Qian Renxue had prepared many body doubles long ago. This man was clearly the best among them, the one who looked most like the original Xue Qinghe. Thus, over the years of infiltration, any subtle changes in the "Crown Prince's" appearance simply followed Li Nuo's natural aging process. Since Li Nuo looked so much like the prince, and everyone changes slightly as they grow, the transition would have been seamless.
But none of that mattered now. In Gu Xuan's eyes, Li Nuo was already a dead man.
Gu Xuan walked to the bedside. Seeing the way Emperor Xue Ye had died with his eyes open, he reached out and brushed his hand over the Emperor's face. "Father-in-law, do not blame Gu Xuan for being cold-hearted. This world is just that cruel. But rest assured, I will take good care of Xiao Ke."
Only after doing this did Gu Xuan turn to look at Li Nuo. "Name."
Li Nuo didn't dare hesitate or resist. He was only at Rank 40+, no match for Gu Xuan or Dugu Yan. "Li Nuo."
"I can see that if you hadn't been scared witless, you might have been more suited for undercover work than Sister Xue," Gu Xuan said with a cold sneer. "Have you thought about the outcome of failure?"
Li Nuo barely dared to breathe. "N... No."
What a joke. He never thought failure was possible, so why would he have planned for it?
Gu Xuan walked up to Li Nuo, spotted an imperial decree lying on the desk, and picked it up. Reading the contents, Gu Xuan's smile widened. "Heh, it seems you've done a good deed. With this, you've saved me a lot of trouble."
Hearing this, Li Nuo thought Gu Xuan intended to spare him because of the decree. He spoke immediately. "Prince, the decree can still be changed. The imperial seal is right here."
As Li Nuo spoke, he held out a finely carved jade seal with both hands, offering it to Gu Xuan.
(End of Chapter)
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