While defending, Yan took massive strides with his giant-like body, still attempting to close the distance to Dugu Feng.
But what greeted him were sword-like finger strikes.
These strikes left only faint white marks on his body.
Yet the microscopic toxins within them continuously corroded Yan's flesh.
A streak of light from Dugu Feng's Third Soul Skill coiled around Yan, only to vanish instantly in the blue high-temperature flames radiating from him.
Still, Dugu Feng's eyes lit up.
The true strength of Jade Phosphorous Light Shadow Kill lay in the moment of entanglement—the light was studded with countless razor-sharp barbs designed to pierce defenses.
Even the tiniest breach would allow Dugu Feng's finger force or airborne toxins to seep in.
"Poison Burst Technique!"
Dugu Feng's second Spirit Ring flared.
The toxins that had infiltrated Yan's body detonated.
The surface of Yan's body showed almost no reaction—too little poison had penetrated.
Yet even this minor explosion allowed more toxins to dissolve into him.
"Now it's my turn to say—it's over!"
Dugu Feng smirked faintly, his hands never stopping.
Azure Phosphorous Finger Force struck relentlessly.
Yan had closed to within five steps of Dugu Feng—but those final five steps became an insurmountable gap under the barrage of finger strikes.
He could feel the toxins inside him.
He was already pushing his Magma Flame Power to its limits to resist.
In Yan's mind, if he could just get close enough, his close-combat prowess would guarantee victory over Dugu Feng.
But Dugu Feng's attacks were too overwhelming, an endless torrent that nearly locked him in place.
Only now did a question dawn on him:
Who was the one twelve levels behind here?
Dugu Feng had withstood his Fourth Soul Skill head-on using sheer Soul Power, then unleashed his Third Soul Skill to breach Yan's defenses.
In the process, he had fired off at least a hundred strikes of Azure Phosphorous Finger Force.
Yan's Soul Power was nearly drained just from resisting the poison.
Yet Dugu Feng's reserves seemed inexhaustible.
"What the hell is going on?"
Yan seethed with frustration.
Dugu Feng, however, felt utterly assured. This battle had only bolstered his confidence.
The Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone hadn't been absorbed for nothing.
Not only did this Soul Bone grant two Soul Skills, it had also cleared his Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
With his entire meridian network fully opened, his Soul Power recovery speed was terrifyingly fast. Combined with the support of his Core Pearl, he wasn't actually that far behind Yan in terms of Soul Power reserves.
Yan was making one last desperate push.
But his mind was already clouded.
Dugu Feng's toxins weren't just physical—they included the mind-affecting Azure Phosphorus Scarlet Venom.
Yan's movements grew erratic. The rolling magma from his Fourth Soul Skill had long since dissipated.
The enhancement from his Third Soul Skill faded as well, returning him to normal size.
Another Azure Phosphorous Finger Force struck Yan square in the chest, finally breaking his stance and forcing him back several steps. His entire body reeked of decay.
"We concede! Dugu Feng, neutralize the poison in Yan!"
A black-haired youth shouted from the edge of the Soul Duel Stage—none other than Xie Yue.
He hadn't expected the battle to turn this brutal.
And in the end, it was Yan who couldn't hold on.
Dugu Feng ceased his attacks.
With a flick of his right hand, a small emerald-green pill appeared in his grasp.
Then he walked up to Yan and said, "Eat this. If you don't detoxify now, you'll die!"
Yan's eyes were lifeless, feeling utterly defeated.
He was part of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
Yet he had lost to Dugu Feng, who was only a Soul Expert.
Yan was depressed and miserable.
After enduring the pain a while longer, he finally obeyed Dugu Feng and swallowed the pill.
"Thank you. You're incredibly strong. Today, I witnessed the Dugu Family's poison firsthand. We'll meet again!"
While circulating his Soul Power to heal his injuries, Yan maintained his dignity—he represented Spirit Hall, after all.
"You're a close-combat assault-type Soul Master. You were just countered by my Soul Skill. You're strong too!"
Dugu Feng smiled.
As the victor, he naturally carried himself with the demeanor of one.
And there was truly no need for thanks.
After swallowing the Core Pearl, you'll become my pawn, Yan—my controlled Golden Generation of Spirit Hall.
His influence had finally extended into Spirit Hall.
Since Yan was a core figure in Spirit Hall, Dugu Feng would now be privy to their future movements.
Yan's expression softened slightly. Dugu Feng was right—it was just a matter of incompatible Martial Souls. If their captain or Nana had fought, Dugu Feng wouldn't have won.
Yan regained some confidence.
Meanwhile, the Soul Duel had ended, and the area around the Soul Duel Stage erupted into a sea of excitement and fervor.
Dugu Feng's name resounded through the skies.
This victory was far more exhilarating than his previous defeat of Yu Tianheng.
This time, Dugu Feng had defeated a prodigy from Spirit Hall who had come to provoke them, bringing glory to the academy and the Heaven Dou Empire.
The atmosphere was electric.
But where there was joy, there was also disappointment.
Yu Tianheng glared hatefully at Dugu Feng, who stood on the Soul Duel Stage with arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's cheers.
This should have been his moment.
Instead, it was being enjoyed by the man who had brought him shame.
And every mention of Dugu Feng would inevitably cast him as the backdrop—how Dugu Feng had defeated Yu Tianheng despite being a whole realm below him.
After his last defeat, his grandfather had reprimanded him harshly.
Yu Tianheng still remembered it vividly.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family could not tolerate any disgrace.
Even his useless uncle, born with a mere 0.5-level Soul Power, had carved out a formidable reputation in the Spirit Master World, bringing honor to the family.
Yet today, he had been humiliated again.
He had fought against Yan—and lost.
But Dugu Feng had fought and won.
Though he wasn't the only one defeated by Yan, and no one would blame him given Yan's strength, he couldn't reconcile it within himself.
"Dugu Feng, don't get too cocky. By defeating Yan and thwarting the Pope's plans, your Dugu Family will face retaliation!"
Yu Tianheng thought darkly, hoping for the Dugu Family's downfall.
Aside from Yu Tianheng, there was another person who was disappointed—Dugu Yan.
Her gaze was distant.
Had Dugu Feng really grown this strong?
She had thought that by training hard and maintaining her advantage in Soul Power Level, her combat prowess would ultimately surpass his.
But now, the gap between them seemed only to widen.
Even Yan, a level 48 Soul Master, was no match for Dugu Feng!
Dugu Yan fell into silence. No matter how arrogant or foolish she was, doubt crept into her mind—was the Poison Cultivation Lineage truly the right path?
The evidence was right before her.
Dugu Feng's strength was terrifying.
She couldn't help but question her grandfather's words.
Can the Cultivated Serpent Lineage truly become powerful?
On the Soul Duel Stage.
Feng Ling and Feng Li suddenly rushed onto the platform with a group of students.
"Brother Dugu, we're following Teacher Ge's orders to let you experience the enthusiasm of your fellow students!"
After surrounding Dugu Feng...
(End of chapter)