At the same time, Dugu Bo, who had been rushing at full speed, arrived in Sotou City. The awards ceremony had concluded not long ago.
As everyone returned to their respective places, Sotou City gradually grew quiet.
Inside the giant Battle Arena, Dugu Bo found Neuvillette and Focalors.
His speed was clearly much faster than the Contra-level spirit master dispatched by Xue Ye.
"What?"
"Xue Qinghe is dead?"
Neuvillette was shocked, momentarily in a daze.
But the next moment, his eyes lit up as he came to a sudden realization.
So, it was Xue Qinghe's "Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell" strategy.
"Heh, I'm just here to pass on a message. I'm not entirely clear on the specifics," Dugu Bo immediately distanced himself from the situation.
After all, he was one of Neuvillette's subordinates, and delivering a message was the most he could do.
Neuvillette pondered for a moment. If the real Xue Qinghe was dead, and the body was intact, and the time of death was within a day, there might still be a chance to save him.
But this "Xue Qinghe" was definitely not the real Xue Qinghe, nor the fake one. Who exactly it was, no one knew.
Given Qian Renxue's intelligence, he wouldn't make such a low-level mistake if not affected by emotions.
It was absolutely impossible for the body to be intact; perhaps this substitute had already been reduced to dust!
Neuvillette and Focalors exchanged a glance and nodded.
Xue Ye was a decent person, so it was worth making a trip for him. Whether it would work out was another matter.
After all, Xue Ye had gifted Neuvillette the national treasure, the Vast Sea Veil, even though he didn't know its true value.
"Senior Dugu, do you plan to stay in Sotou City for a while, or will you return to Heaven Dou City?"
Hearing this, Dugu Bo was taken aback and instinctively said, "I'll go back to Heaven Dou City."
He still had to wait for Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin to return to their sect, and Moffett to return to Heaven Dou City's Grand Battle Arena.
Suddenly, Dugu Bo felt something grip his shoulder, and the next moment, he was lifted off the ground...
In just a moment, the three of them appeared in Heaven Dou City's Grand Battle Arena.
Dugu Bo: "..."
He had just felt his vision blur, and before he could make out the scene, he blinked, and they were already in Heaven Dou City?
Isn't this a bit too fast?
"Ugh..."
Even with his strength, Dugu Bo couldn't help but gag a couple of times.
He was really a bit overwhelmed!
Is this the power of a god?
"Senior, we'll be back soon."
Neuvillette and Focalors tidied up their clothes a bit before walking out of the Battle Arena.
The staff left behind were surprised by their sudden appearance, but didn't ask any questions.
"Lord Neuvillette!"
"Lady Focalors!"
"Greetings!"
Everything was just as it had been when they were last here.
When the two appeared on the streets of Heaven Dou City, the pedestrians were puzzled.
At this time, shouldn't the competition still be ongoing?
Why had the organizers come to Heaven Dou City?
It was well known that Heaven Dou City was so quiet because Sotou City was hosting the first Martial Arts Tournament!
"Greetings, Lord God of Judgement!"
"Greetings, Lady Water Goddess!"
There was hardly anyone in Heaven Dou City who didn't recognize Neuvillette and Focalors. After all, they had served as Referee and hosts here for so long.
Naturally, there was no chance for a scenario where someone would try to show off and end up being humiliated.
Who would dare provoke Neuvillette or flirt with Focalors...
There was simply no chance to be humiliated in return!
When the two appeared at the gates of the Heaven Dou Palace, the guards quickly saluted without any obstruction.
It seemed that Xue Ye had made arrangements before they arrived.
"Lord God of Judgment, Lady Water Goddess!"
When Xue Xing saw Neuvillette and Focalors, it was as if he had seen his saviors. He hurriedly approached them, his expression filled with panic.
"Prince Xue Xing, there's no need for such urgency," Neuvillette said, waving his hand.
This visit was ultimately futile, serving only to show an attitude. Even if the deceased was Xue Qinghe, there was no way to bring him back.
If they truly had such abilities, the continent of Teyvat wouldn't have seen so many tragedies.
As long as there is a breath left, there is hope. But once that last breath is gone, it's really over.
Neuvillette could use his ancient draconic powers to create life, but creating life and resurrecting life are two entirely different things!
"Let's take a look first. We might not be able to do anything," Neuvillette said bluntly, not pretending to have abilities he didn't possess.
He wasn't that kind of "person."
Upon hearing this, Xue Xing's hopes nearly collapsed. He quickly nodded and led Neuvillette and Focalors into the main hall.
Inside the hall, Emperor Xue Ye looked as though he had aged ten years overnight. His face was filled with sorrow. Despite being a powerful ruler, he was still human and had feelings.
He, the mighty Emperor of Heaven Dou, only had four sons and one daughter. Now, three of his sons were gone, and the last one was at death's door!
How could Emperor Xue Ye bear such grief?
When he saw Neuvillette and the others enter the hall, a golden light of hope flickered in his hollow eyes.
Hope had arrived.
"Greetings, Lord God of Judgment, greetings, Lady Water Goddess!"
Though he was an emperor, these two were gods. Xue Ye understood the difference in status well.
"Let's take a look first."
Xue Ye quickly nodded and ordered for "Xue Qinghe" to be brought in.
"???"
This pile... no, this puddle... actually, this mess of remains...
Neuvillette and Focalors exchanged a glance, their eyes twitching slightly.
"Can... can he be saved?" Xue Ye asked tentatively, not sure himself. After all, what lay before him was barely recognizable.
"No, he can't be saved. Even auxiliary-type gods like the Nine-Colored Goddess or the God of Food, using their spirit fusion skills, could only save those with intact bodies—and even then, there's a time limit," Neuvillette shook his head, speaking plainly.
The truth was that what lay before them was beyond saving.
Hearing this, the last vestiges of hope in Xue Ye and Xue Xing's hearts died.
"Though the Crown Prince cannot be saved, you can still be saved."
"???"
"You're poisoned," Focalors said calmly.
Hearing this, Xue Ye instinctively glanced at Xue Xing.
Xue Xing: "..."
This really wasn't his doing!
"Please, Lady Water Goddess, save my life. I cannot die right now..."
It wasn't that Xue Ye feared death; he genuinely could not afford to die at this moment!
If he were to die, the vast Heaven Dou Empire could very well fracture and be swallowed by the Star Luo Empire.
If that happened, he would become the sinner of the Heaven Dou Empire!
Saving Xue Ye's life would also be repaying the "investment" he had made earlier.