Sure enough, within moments, the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake stopped moving.
Strangely, the snake's venom didn't seem to harm him at all. Was this some form of using poison to counteract poison? Dugu Feng wondered.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Dugu Feng grabbed the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake.
"Here, extract the gallbladder first. Have some snake bile to replenish your energy!" Old Snake handed him a short knife.
Dugu Feng quickly accepted it—apparently he had to do this himself.
He had already given up hope on his privileged status as the young master. The days of having everything served to him were clearly over.
This was his first time killing a snake, but he knew its anatomy like the back of his hand.
The most valuable part of a snake was its gallbladder.
Gripping the knife, Dugu Feng made a single cut from the snake's head downward, splitting it open completely.
It sounded simple, but with his weakened state, he had to exert every ounce of strength he had.
After some careful probing with the knife, he finally retrieved the gallbladder.
The oval-shaped organ looked unappetizing, but Dugu Feng didn't hesitate. He popped it into his mouth without regard for the foul taste.
A gentle bite caused the gallbladder to burst, flooding his mouth with bitter fluid. He clenched his jaw shut and forced himself to swallow it all.
"Young Master, your poisoning last night means the Azure Phosphorus Serpent Spirit has already begun influencing—perhaps even transforming—your body. Though your Martial Soul hasn't awakened yet, your bloodline power is already at work."
"It will gradually enhance your physique. Snakes possess remarkable digestive abilities, so don't worry about indigestion."
"These snake remains will be your meal today—plenty to fill you up!"
Old Snake spoke at just the right moment, his eyes reflecting satisfaction with Dugu Feng's performance, even a hint of astonishment.
For a first-timer to overcome his fear of killing a snake... this boy was a natural.
If only they knew how long he'd survive. Poisoning at four years old meant death could come at any moment.
Resigned, Dugu Feng picked up the knife again and began slicing the snake meat into small pieces before eating them.
They really didn't treat children like humans here!
Half an hour later, with the entire snake consumed, Dugu Feng felt uncomfortably full.
For once, Old Snake showed some humanity—he actually used his Soul Power to massage Dugu Feng.
The energy felt warm, like basking in sunlight...
No, even better than sunlight. It flowed through every muscle and meridian in Dugu Feng's body, bringing profound relief.
Like loosening stiff tendons and stimulating blood flow, his limbs and organs all relaxed.
The snake meat gradually digested as well.
Closing his eyes, Dugu Feng savored this brief moment of comfort.
At the same time, he focused inward on his Core Pearl. When the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake had bitten him earlier, he'd distinctly felt the pearl tremble.
Now, examining it, he noticed the faint green thread inside had grown slightly more vibrant.
So the snake's venom had been absorbed by the Core Pearl.
As his body digested the meal, the pearl rotated faster, drawing in wisps of energy that merged with that green thread.
The Core Pearl's condensation required not just toxins, but other forms of energy too.
The process was frustratingly slow though. How long would it take to fully charge the pearl?
Then again, he was only four years old—his Martial Soul hadn't even awakened yet.
There was no need to rush.
Several hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Under the soothing Soul Power massage, Dugu Feng dozed off briefly.
By the time he woke, the snake meat had completely transformed into energy.
After the massage ended, he stood up and took a few steps. Every movement brimmed with strength, leaving him invigorated and utterly refreshed.
Glancing outside, he saw that night had fallen, the world silent. Yet Dugu Feng could still hear faint serpent hisses and the rustling of creatures crawling.
It seemed the manor housed more spirit beasts than people.
Reflecting on the day's torment, it all felt like a dream.
To wield formidable power and act without restraint—especially in this Douluo World—hadn't that been his long-cherished aspiration?
Dugu Feng stood at the doorway, gazing at the star-studded sky as visions of the future unfolded before him.
"Young Master, it's the third watch," Old Snake's voice drifted over eerily.
The third watch colloquially meant eleven at night.
"What about the third watch?"
The moment he spoke, Dugu Feng froze, suddenly remembering: the Azure Phosphorus Serpent Venom flared up not only during rainy days but also after the third watch at night.
As this realization struck, a sharp pain shot through his soles like needles. Caught off guard, Dugu Feng nearly leaped into the air.
He hastily lay back down on the cushion.
His muscles were already tensing, showing signs of spasms, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
"Young Master, is the pain severe? Today, you were bitten by the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake—perfect for using poison to counteract poison.
If it hurts too much, just say the word, and I'll fetch another snake to bite you!" Old Snake approached nervously, his anxiety palpable.
Everything done during the day had been preparation for this very moment at night.
All to help Dugu Feng endure the venom's flare-up.
For members of the Dugu family, once the venom began acting up, they had to endure this torment every night.
The only difference was whether they could survive it.
As he spoke, Old Snake cradled a clay jar, ready at any moment to release a snake for the bite.
This was the method of using poison to fight poison. The Azure Phosphorus Serpent Venom was tyrannical—upon detecting foreign toxins, it would attack relentlessly, thereby consuming some of the energy during the flare-up.
Yet this was merely a stopgap measure. The Azure Phosphorus Serpent Venom would also absorb these toxins to strengthen the Martial Soul's power.
There would inevitably come a day when one could endure no longer.
Beads of sweat dotted Dugu Feng's forehead as he curled into a ball. The needle-like stabbing pain had now reached his head, forcing his eyes wide open.
Was this the horror of the Azure Phosphorus Serpent Spirit? Dugu Yan hadn't experienced a flare-up until she was twenty.
What sins had his predecessor committed to suffer venom flare-ups before even awakening his Martial Soul?
Then again, without this, he wouldn't have transmigrated here.
"Bite—ah—bite!"
His teeth chattering, Dugu Feng slurred the three words.
His head felt like it was about to explode from the venom, his body on the verge of rotting away.
Who cared about consequences now? Anything to alleviate the agony.
Even if someone beat him up, it would at least distract him.
Crash!
The clay jar shattered as the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake slithered out. With a hiss, it struck without hesitation, sinking its fangs into Dugu Feng's arm.
Instantly, his attention shifted.
The pain seemed to ease slightly.
Gasping heavily, Dugu Feng turned to look at the snake.
It was already dead—utterly lifeless.
In the throes of his venom flare-up, the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake had been instantly poisoned to death.
As long as it doesn't kill me, it'll only make me stronger. Dugu Feng's resolve solidified.
I have the Core Pearl—what is there to fear?
He could already sense it: the wisp of green within the Core Pearl had grown slightly larger.
It seemed the pearl had gained some benefit from this venom flare-up.
The energy within his body was rapidly depleting, and his once-powerful physique began to feel the pangs of hunger once more.
Aside from the energy consumed in resisting the toxins, the growth of the Core Pearl also required nourishment from his body—it too was absorbing Dugu Feng's energy to strengthen itself.