Chen Xin went aside to absorb the soul bone, surrounded by the other Title Douluos for safety.
Even so, everyone still felt heavy. Suddenly learning your sect was doomed—who could accept it?
Tianlin's Future Sight Skill was now on cooldown; they only knew the general time frame, not the exact date.
Ning Fengzhi never pinned hope on one thing. After thinking, he ordered, "Uncle Eagle, later, pick your most trusted scouts and watch the Heaven Dou Palace. Report any anomalies immediately."
Gu Rong was surprised. "Fengzhi, what does this have to do with Heaven Dou Empire? Do you think they're colluding with Spirit Hall against us?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Impossible. The Empire and Spirit Hall have conflicting interests—Emperor Xue Ye wouldn't do that. But from what Tianlin just said, I suspect Spirit Hall has planted a deep mole in the palace, someone in a high position."
Tianlin was startled—Uncle Ning seemed to have deduced something again.
Ning Fengzhi continued, "If Spirit Hall aims to wipe out two sects at once, us and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they must attack both simultaneously. Otherwise, the other could escape and seek protection from the empires, ruining Spirit Hall's plan."
"To move such a large force discreetly, there must be high-level collusion from within the empire."
"So, Uncle Ning, do you have suspects?" Tianlin probed.
"Yes, three: Heaven Dou Empire's Grand Marshal Ge Long, Prince Xue Xing, and your good friend, my disciple, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Only they have the power to smuggle in such a force."
"Heaven Dou's power is too decentralized. Ge Long controls the army, Xue Xing oversees soul masters, and Xue Qinghe manages politics. Any of them could use Spirit Hall to seize power—especially Xue Qinghe, whose hold on the throne is not firm."
"Ge Long is nonpartisan; Xue Xing supports Xue Beng, whose ambitions are great."
Gu Rong and Dugu Bo nodded—the analysis made sense.
Ning Fengzhi's deductions were close to the truth. Tianlin also believed Qian Renxue was involved.
In the original, when Spirit Hall attacked, Emperor Xue Ye had already been poisoned, and power was shifting to Xue Qinghe.
The poison must've been slow-acting, taking years, or it would be discovered too soon.
That's why Tianlin believed Spirit Hall couldn't act too early—even with his presence accelerating things, the sect would be safe for at least three years. Now he wondered if he should reveal Xue Qinghe's true identity.
Noticing Tianlin's hesitation, Ning Fengzhi signaled, "Uncle Bone, Uncle Dugu, Uncle Eagle—keep watch over Uncle Sword. Xiao Tian, come with me."
Ning Fengzhi led Tianlin to a secluded pavilion.
"Xiao Tian, no one's here. Tell me what you hesitated to say earlier."
Tianlin nodded and revealed, "Uncle Ning, your suspicion is correct. Spirit Hall's mole in the palace is Xue Qinghe. And her real identity is—"
Tianlin told Ning Fengzhi about Qian Renxue, ensuring he could counter her schemes. He omitted some details, like her being Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, since he couldn't know that through foresight.
He only told Ning Fengzhi that, through cultivating Heavenly Soul Power with her, he discovered her martial soul was not a swan—but the Seraphim.
"A good trick by the Qian family! To think they planned this years in advance. Xiao Tian, if not for you, our sect would've been wiped out. Thank you."
Ning Fengzhi immediately deduced the connection to the Qian family—after all, the Seraphim was their legacy martial soul.
"Uncle Ning, do you plan to expose Xue Qinghe? If so, can I ask you to let her leave for Spirit City instead?"
"Xiao Tian, it seems you truly consider Xue Qinghe a friend. But you know she wants to destroy our sect. And you still plead for her?" Ning Fengzhi rebuked.
Tianlin lowered his head. "It's selfish of me. I told you because you're more important than her. But that doesn't mean I don't value her friendship."
"Sigh. Attachment is good, but too much becomes a shackle. Xiao Tian, you and Rongrong will one day lead the sect. Sometimes, you must be ruthless," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Don't worry—I won't harm or expose her."