Dugu Feng's expression turned grave—this actually involved the Clear Sky Sect.
Years ago, the Clear Sky Sect's retreat had triggered a brutal and bloody reshuffling of power across the continent.
Most families had likely participated.
But based on his knowledge of Douluo, further changes were still unfolding.
By the time of the Soul Master Competition, the Elephant Armor Sect's ties with the Four Elements Academy had weakened, and they had instead pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall.
Moreover, during the team merger, Huo Wu had mentioned that Spirit Hall had been trying to recruit the Four Elements Academy, but they were unwilling to submit.
After Bibi Dong ascended to power, she had been systematically dismantling various factions.
The Elephant Armor Sect must have been brought under her control around this time.
Could Spirit Hall members appear this time?
Dugu Feng thought it was entirely possible.
After a moment of consideration, he said, "Since Old Scorpion was able to secretly tail Huyan Lie and uncover his motive for the Soul Bone, how could he suddenly fail to react and end up severely injured by Huyan Lie's ambush?
Could it be that after entering Sunset Forest, Huyan Lie's reinforcements arrived and discovered Old Scorpion?"
He wanted to remind Old Snake—better not capsize in a tiny ditch.
Old Snake froze momentarily before breaking into a mysterious smile. "Young Master, you and I think alike. Excellent, excellent. I'm growing more convinced that under your leadership, our family will surely reach greater heights."
Yeah right, you talkative old coot—you're full of it.
Seeing Dugu Feng remain silent, Old Snake finally turned serious. "Young Master, we must proceed with caution from here. Remember the Serpent Breath Technique I taught you? Hold your breath, seal your pores—Sunset Forest will soon become our hunting ground!"
"Understood." Dugu Feng was already prepared.
The Serpent Breath Technique mimicked Old Snake's hibernation-like state during meditation—an excellent method for concealment.
The two pressed onward, moving even slower now as they headed deeper into the heart of Sunset Forest.
Gradually, they encountered some powerful Spirit Beasts.
But the frigid, venomous aura radiating from Old Snake kept them at bay—a highly poisonous serpent stood near the top of the Spirit Beast food chain.
Then, Dugu Feng witnessed something bizarre.
Old Snake halted before an ancient tree, its roots hollowed out enough for a person to crawl inside.
After a brief wait, a Jade Phosphorous Serpent slithered out from the tree hole. Judging by its aura, it was at least a five-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast, its eyes gleaming with notable intelligence.
Old Snake seemed to be communicating with it...
Similar scenes repeated at regular intervals along their path.
Could all these snakes be tamed by Old Snake?
"Young Master, these Spirit Beasts are my friends—they're the local bosses of this forest.
I once cultivated in Sunset Forest for many years, forging deep bonds with these serpent kings. They see me as one of their own!"
So that's what 'local boss' really means?
Dugu Feng was speechless.
Still, it proved incredibly useful. With these Spirit Beasts as guides, tracking movements within the forest became effortless.
Thus, Old Snake and Dugu Feng journeyed through the woods for over half a day.
Nightfall arrived.
Dugu Feng leaped up, concealing himself among the branches of a towering tree.
Meanwhile, Old Snake was laying out toxins around the large tree.
"According to my friends' guidance, Huyan Lie and his group are nearby. Perhaps we can wait here tonight to ambush them!"
Old Snake gave a sinister chuckle and also leaped into the tree canopy.
As if by unspoken agreement, both men took out snake meat from their Soul Tools and began eating. They needed to conserve their energy—no one knew what might happen tonight.
Dugu Feng silently focused on sensing the Core Pearls within his body.
When absorbing the Spirit Ring, the Core Pearls had also taken in some energy, with the green portions growing more prominent.
Suddenly, Dugu Feng had an idea.
He channeled all the warm energy radiating from one of the Core Pearls, guiding it with his Soul Power to both arms.
Then he enveloped the two Nine-Section Jadeites.
The growth of the Nine-Section Jadeites was still too slow. His body only needed one Core Pearl for nourishment—the other could be used to accelerate their development.
Only when the Nine-Section Jadeites matured into thousand-year or ten-thousand-year Spirit Beasts would they become truly useful to him.
Dugu Feng immersed himself in deep cultivation, continuously strengthening both himself and the two little serpents.
Until a sharp pain struck—first in his feet, then his head.
He knew it was another venom flare-up.
It was already the third watch of the night.
This time, the pain came violently, indicating that the Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom within him had intensified.
During the Spirit Ring fusion, more toxins had integrated into his flesh, enhancing the innate poison of his Azure Phosphorus Serpent Spirit.
This was the suffering inherent to the Poison Cultivation Lineage—absorbing venom-attribute Spirit Rings strengthened one's power, but the subsequent flare-ups grew more terrifying and arrived sooner.
Dugu Yan's first Soul Skill was Jade Phosphorous Scarlet Poison, an excitatory toxin that stimulated nerves, boosting a Soul Master's attack and speed by twenty percent.
It was an enhancement and control skill, aligning with the control system.
Thus, it was clear the Spirit Beast she hunted for her first Spirit Ring wasn't venom-based. Her venom flare-ups could be delayed until the Soul King stage.
For those like Little Snake who hadn't yet experienced flare-ups, the latest they'd occur was the Soul Expert stage.
This was the fundamental difference between the Poison Cultivation Lineage and the Cultivated Serpent Lineage.
Wracked with excruciating pain, Dugu Feng's mind raced through cultivation theories—a distraction to dull the agony.
The two Nine-Section Jadeites coiled around his wrists sensed their master's suffering.
Suddenly, they bit down hard, transferring potent venom into him.
During flare-ups, Dugu Feng often had the Nine-Section Jadeites bite him.
Of course, his Azure Phosphorus toxins would also enter their bodies.
But with the Core Pearls present, he wasn't worried about poisoning them to death.
As the Core Pearls rotated, they emitted a powerful suction force, helping detoxify the Nine-Section Jadeites.
Through this process, the serpents absorbed traces of his Azure Phosphorus toxins to grow stronger.
It was a mutually beneficial cycle.
After an immeasurable time, the pain receded, and Dugu Feng exhaled deeply.
He had endured his first venom flare-up since becoming a Soul Master.
Suddenly—a faint rustling in the forest.
Someone was approaching.
Dugu Feng immediately tensed, slipping completely into hibernation mode.
This was what he'd mastered over the past two years—mimicking a hibernating serpent, not leaking the slightest energy.
All energy was absorbed by the Core Pearls.
In this process, he had also honed a formidable Serpent Breath Technique, nearly sinking into complete stillness. Yet his eyes narrowed slightly, peering through the darkness toward the source of the sound.
Hundreds of meters away.
A tall, middle-aged man clad in black was sprinting at breakneck speed.
An aura of brutal killing intent radiated from him, as if he had just emerged from a fierce battle.
But the most striking sight in the darkness was the enormous blade he wielded.
The blade was exceptionally long, nearly matching the man's height. Its gleaming edge reflected flecks of crimson—this was a weapon forged for slaughter.
(End of Chapter)