Three months later, inside the recuperation hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
The last wisp of eerie, multicolored poisonous gas was finally forced from Xue Ye's fingertip by the precise control of Yang Wudi's medicinal power and the detoxifying Soul Power guided by Dugu Bo. It dripped into a specially made jade plate, hissing as it instantly turned into green smoke and dissipated.
On the bed, Xue Ye slowly opened his eyes.
Those once sharp and majestic eyes now appeared cloudy and dim, with sunken eye sockets and a sallow complexion that was difficult to fade even after recovery from illness.
He was so thin that his magnificent imperial robes hung loosely on his body.
Although the deadly poison has been cleared, the years of toxin erosion have already depleted his vast life force. Like a tree hollowed out by insects, it may appear to be still on the outside, but inside it is riddled with holes, its vitality as weak as a candle in the wind.
"His Majesty's poison has finally been eradicated."
Yang Wudi withdrew the silver needles, let out a long sigh, and felt a fine bead of sweat on his forehead.
Over the past three months, he and Dugu Bo have almost exhausted themselves.
Dugu Bo wiped his hands, his tone complex. "The poison has been neutralized, but the depleted life force... cannot be replenished by medicine. His Majesty needs absolute rest; perhaps... he still has three years left."
His words were like a cold verdict, instantly bringing tears to the eyes of Prince Xue Xing and Prince Xue Beng, who were standing in the hall.
Xue Ye himself remained unusually calm. He struggled to move his eyes, looking at Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing standing silently to the side, then at Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo. His voice was hoarse and weak. "To be able to recover these three years... is already a stroke of luck. Thank you... everyone."
He rested for a moment, gathering his strength, and then ordered the eunuch beside him, "Issue a decree... immediately summon Cong Jichen to the main hall... to hold a investiture ceremony. Invest the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng... as the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, to oversee the state affairs."
With the imperial edict issued, the matter was settled.
Although Xue Beng was previously not well-known and even somewhat arrogant, after the shocking plot of "Crown Prince" Xue Qinghe to assassinate the Spirit Hall and usurp the throne was exposed, he became the only prince and his succession was indisputable.
After the investiture ceremony, Xue Ye summoned Tang Feng to his bedchamber.
The old emperor leaned back on his couch, his gaze fixed on Tang Feng, and made a request that Tang Feng had never expected. "Young Sect Master Tang... you possess extraordinary talent, your strength surpasses all your peers, and you are also wise and brave, having rendered invaluable service to the empire. My days are numbered, and the only thing I cannot let go of is Beng'er and the future of this empire. I... wish to request that the Young Sect Master take Beng'er as his disciple, to teach him to become a capable person, so that in the future... he may also be able to protect the empire."
To have an imperial prince, who is about the same age as me, or even older, become my disciple? It just feels so awkward.
Tang Feng bowed slightly almost without hesitation, his tone firm. "Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me to bear. His Highness the Tang Feng Prince is of noble birth and is naturally guided by the virtuous and wise men of the Empire. Moreover, I, Tang Feng, am devoted to cultivation and have neither experience nor interest in teaching. I truly dare not accept the title of master and disciple."
He refused decisively, without even offering any euphemisms.
Besides genuinely feeling awkward, the deeper reason was his deep-seated distrust and alienation from the royal family and even the entire aristocratic class.
His assistance to Heaven Dou stemmed more from the greater good of fighting against the Spirit Hall than from loyalty to any particular empire or royal family.
He did not wish to tie himself too closely to the future emperor of the empire.
A deep disappointment and understanding flashed in Xue Ye's eyes, but he seemed to have expected it and did not insist. He simply sighed deeply.
Xue Beng, standing to the side, lowered his head, not daring to meet Tang Feng's gaze. He felt a mix of emotions, including disappointment, relief, and a hint of indescribable fear.
"Since that's the case... I won't force you."
After catching his breath, the Xue Ye gestured to a eunuch to bring over an antique jade box.
The jade box was opened, revealing a triangular object that was entirely blue, crystal clear, and seemed to be formed from the purest seawater and sapphire. It had a faint shimmering light and exuded a vast and profound aura.
"This item is called the ' Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud,' a secret treasure obtained from overseas by the first emperor of the empire and passed down to this day. Even the royal family is not fully aware of its specific uses, only knowing that it contains the mysterious power of the ocean and has miraculous effects of protecting the body and calming the mind."
Xue Ye pushed the jade box towards Tang Feng: "Young Sect Master, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace. I present this to you as a token of my gratitude, and also hope... that the friendship between the Clear Sky Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire will last forever."
Tang Feng's gaze fell on the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and his heart skipped a beat.
A vague memory surfaced from the depths of his mind: Sea God Island, divine artifact, inheritance... This item seemed to be one of the key tokens to unlock the inheritance of that supreme deity!
He calmly accepted the jade box. It was cool to the touch, and he could clearly feel the immense water-related energy and a trace of a higher-level sacred fluctuation contained within it.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. The Clear Sky Sect to Heaven Dou and will naturally stand together through thick and thin."
Upon returning to the Clear Sky Sect in Cloud Mist Mountain, Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing immediately summoned their core companions, Dugu Yan, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, Tang Jian, Ye Lingling, and Tai Long, to the meditation room.
"This item is called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, obtained from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and is quite extraordinary."
Tang Feng placed the jade box in the center and briefly explained its origin, "I have a vague feeling that this item might be related to some ancient tradition or trial, and it may require specific qualifications to activate. The reason I've gathered everyone here today is to try it with a drop of blood from each of us, to see who is destined to have this item."
Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Tang Feng was the first to prick his fingertip, and a drop of bright red blood fell onto the azure triangular prism.
The instant the blood droplet touched the protective covering, a sudden change occurred!
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud suddenly erupted with dazzling azure divine light, illuminating the entire quiet room as if it were Sea Dragon!
A vast, majestic, compassionate divine sense, imbued with the aura of the boundless ocean, seemed to be awakened by this drop of blood containing immense potential and destiny, and gently swept over Tang Feng.
Tang Feng clearly felt a sense of joy and acceptance emanating from that divine thought, as if it wanted to imprint a mark on his soul, making the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud recognize him as its master!
However, just as that azure divine sense was about to touch the core of Tang Feng's Soul Core,
"Buzz!"
Within Tang Feng's body, the core of the " Clear Sky Domain," which fused the will of the Clear Sky Hammer, the mark of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, and the aura of the Asura God's inheritance, spontaneously trembled slightly.
A dark red light, more ancient and domineering, filled with endless killing and judgment, faintly emerged.
Although not fully manifested, it acted like an insurmountable barrier, firmly "pushing" out the azure Sea God's Divine Sense.
The light of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud dimmed instantly, and a trace of astonishment and regret rippled through his divine sense before receding.
Tang Feng seemed to understand something.
Yes, I already have the mark of the Asura God's inheritance within me. Although I haven't formally received the inheritance, this mark originates from the supreme god and has a domineering attribute.
The Sea God's Divine Sense the presence of other deities and naturally could no longer recognize them as its master.
This is probably some kind of restriction or protection set up by the Asura God.
"Looks like I'm not meant to have it." Tang Feng withdrew his hand, smiled at his companions, and said, "It's your turn. Give it a try."
Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, Tang Jian, Tai Long, and others stepped forward one by one to drip their blood.
Although the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would produce a slight reaction to high-quality blood, with its light flowing, it no longer exhibited the intense fluctuations of divine thought and the strong focus of intent that Tang Feng displayed when he dripped blood.
Finally, it was Dugu Yan's turn.
She stepped forward nervously, her emerald green eyes fixed on the azure dome, her fingertips tracing a line.
A drop of blood, faintly gleaming with the luster of jade and subtly radiating the might of a dragon, fell.
Buzz!!
A blue divine light, more intense than ever before, erupted!
Within the quiet room, the sounds of surging tides and the roar of giant whales seemed to echo!
That vast Sea God's Divine Sense surged forth once more, this time filled with undisguised surprise and approval!
The light completely enveloped Dugu Yan, and the phantom of the Jade Phosphorus Poison Dragon appeared uncontrollably around her. The dragon's roar even resonated strangely with the sound of the ocean tide.
Dragons are inherently capable of controlling clouds and rain and ruling over aquatic creatures, let alone the evolved Jade Phosphorus Poison Dragon. Furthermore, Dugu Yan possesses poisonous attributes, and in the ocean, mystery and toxicity often coexist.
A careful examination with divine sense revealed: Twenty-five years old, a level sixty-six Soul Emperor, with the Martial Soul Jade Phosphorus Poison Dragon, possessing top-tier water and poison attributes, a solid foundation, a resilient temperament, and multiple high-age Soul Bone. His spiritual power far surpasses that of his peers, indicating immense potential. Such talent and attribute compatibility are indeed extremely rare among the younger generation!
She's the one!
The azure divine light slowly receded, finally converging at Dugu Yan's brow, forming a tiny, exquisite blue trident mark that vanished in a flash.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud transformed into a stream of light and entered her body.
In an instant, Dugu Yan felt her spiritual power surge, her Soul Power flow more smoothly, and four powerful skills inexplicably appeared in her mind: Vast Sea Protective Shroud, Cosmic Mind-Stabilizing Shroud, Vast Sea Raging Waves, and Cosmic Demon-Breaking!