"Both of you are so foolish—trying to disperse my poison mist with wind. Don't you know the wind will only make the poison reach you faster?" Dugu Feng looked at them as if they were idiots.
The effect of the Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom Soul Skill wasn't just about spraying toxins. Controlling the poison's movement and attack was also part of the skill.
Though the toxins were scattered by the wind, under Dugu Feng's control, they acted even faster with the wind's assistance.
Were the Feng brothers stupid? Not exactly.
They had assumed their Light Swords could strike Dugu Feng before the poison reached them.
If that happened, Dugu Feng would lose.
Unfortunately, Dugu Feng dodged their attack.
With their attack missing and the poison right in front of them, the two brothers could only hastily form a shield with their six Light Swords to block the toxins.
However, once the Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom got close, it seeped into their bodies through their breath and skin.
The brothers immediately felt a nauseating stench and dizziness.
It was clear they couldn't hold on any longer.
"We surrender!" Feng Ling gritted his teeth and shouted.
He knew the fearsome reputation of the Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom. Their Sword Control had failed to hit Dugu Feng, while his poison was already upon them.
If they were poisoned, they'd turn into puddles of pus in no time.
Their young hearts were filled with terror.
Dugu Feng then turned his gaze to Ning Rongrong.
"I surrender!" Ning Rongrong unwillingly spat out those words. Without a way to neutralize the poison and no means to attack Dugu Feng immediately, what was the point of continuing?
Battles between one-ring Soul Masters didn't involve many skills, and the outcome was decided in a short time.
Seeing this, Dugu Feng withdrew the poison mist from the Soul Duel Stage back into his body.
He was about to step off the stage when—
"Wait!" Ning Rongrong called out sharply.
"Oh? You lost. What, still want me to acknowledge you as boss?" Dugu Feng remained calm, though if the little troublemaker kept pestering him, he'd get angry.
Her noble status and powerful backing didn't give her the right to act unreasonably.
Ning Rongrong slowly walked to the center of the stage. Tilting her chin up, she declared, "Losing the fight is one thing, but making me boss is another. You said earlier that if I let your snake slither over my hands twice, I'd be the boss. Do you think I'm scared?"
Dugu Feng felt something was off. Which snake are you talking about?
My giant python—your tiny hands couldn't even hold it.
"Come on!" Ning Rongrong wore an expression as if she were marching to her doom.
"Then here I come!" Dugu Feng slowly approached, his Little Snake hissing softly to intimidate Ning Rongrong.
From her first reaction to the snake in the classroom, it was clear she was terrified of serpents.
Sure enough, as Dugu Feng drew closer, Ning Rongrong glanced around nervously.
Afraid of showing fear and damaging her boss-like demeanor, she struggled to keep her face composed.
She thought to herself, "That snake looks like the Nine-Section Jadeite—a top-tier venomous serpent. I refuse to believe Dugu Feng would dare let it bite me. It's just slithering over my hands twice—I can endure it!
I, Ning Rongrong, will surpass my father and break through my family's Martial Soul Barrier. It's just a snake!"
Dugu Feng was surprised. This Ning Rongrong had quite the nerve!
She was only six years old.
The students below the stage held their breaths. That was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. If she were truly bitten by a poisonous snake, it would be a major incident that would shake Heaven Dou City.
They all looked at Dugu Feng with admiration. "Dude, you've got guts," their expressions seemed to say.
Dugu Feng observed Ning Rongrong's forced composure and thought to himself that he shouldn't push her too far. There were undoubtedly experts nearby protecting her.
And those two Titled Douluos who acted like street loafers might very well be lurking in the shadows.
The Nine-Section Jadeite coiled around Ning Rongrong's hand.
Dugu Feng clearly sensed her hand stiffen slightly, and her eyes seemed ready to squeeze shut.
But to his surprise, he also caught a glimpse of determination.
Ning Rongrong persisted, keeping her gaze fixed on the Nine-Section Jadeite in her hand.
She watched as it flicked its tongue, as it wound around her fingers.
Until finally, the snake returned to Dugu Feng's hand.
Ning Rongrong exhaled in relief and shot Dugu Feng a haughty look.
"From now on, Rongrong, you're the boss of the class," Dugu Feng declared before returning to his seat below the stage.
Ning Rongrong was stunned. That was it? Just like that?
This was completely different from what she had expected—bowing in submission, eyes filled with worship and flattery.
Instantly, she gritted her teeth, her face flushing red. Ning Rongrong felt played.
She had mustered immense courage, and this was all she got?
Yet she couldn't find fault with Dugu Feng's actions.
He had acknowledged her as the boss, after all.
This... this... this...
Her little mind raced furiously.
"So, Dugu Feng, you really are extraordinary. Let's see just how far you can grow!" Ning Rongrong watched Dugu Feng's retreating figure, a peculiar glint flashing in her eyes.
High above, two figures stood suspended in midair.
The one on the left wore a snow-white robe, his hair and beard entirely white, his features ancient. Though he appeared to be an elderly man in his twilight years, his skin had a ruddy glow. Standing there, he seemed like the very center of the world, unrivaled and supreme.
"Rongrong's been put in her place this time! Fengzhi, are you just going to stand by and watch?" The old man spoke—he was none other than the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Beside him stood Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi had a face as fair as jade, similarly dressed in a pristine white robe, his gaze gentle, appearing almost like an ordinary man.
"It's just children playing around. If we intervene over something like this, how will she ever grow?
The fact that Rongrong overcame her fear this time proves our training hasn't been in vain.
Uncle Sword, you mustn't keep treating her like a child! I have a feeling Rongrong will surpass me one day."
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
"Heh, I'm not like that old bone. If he were here, he might just go and teach Dugu Feng a lesson in secret!" Sword Douluo chuckled.
Ning Fengzhi also laughed. "That's precisely why I enrolled Rongrong in school. If she stayed by our side, she'd never be able to shoulder the responsibilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
A Support Martial Soul ultimately relies on the strength of powerful allies to unleash its full potential.
The strong by her side must be those she befriends and wins over herself.
This Dugu Feng is quite impressive—so mature for his age!"
"Haha, Fengzhi, don't tell me you haven't noticed. His body is unusual. The Dugu family has always struggled with fertility and sparse numbers, surely due to their toxins. I'd say this boy is already affected by poison!" Sword Douluo laughed heartily.
There was nothing in Heaven Dou City that escaped their notice.
They could deduce much about the Dugu family's circumstances.
"Keep a close eye on the Dugu family. That young man is not simple!" Ning Fengzhi said solemnly.
Sword Douluo nodded in agreement.
Among the various factions on the Douluo Continent, their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School supported the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. In this regard, they had an unspoken understanding with the Ge Family, the Dugu Family, and the Wind Sword Sect. These forces jointly maintained the Heaven Dou Empire, sharing common interests.
Yet, they remained wary of each other—after all, the continent was far from peaceful!
(End of Chapter)