Shi Nian's previously calm eyes widened instantly: "Young Master, I'm confident about leading Canghui Academy into the finals, but the championship..."
He wanted to say, "You might as well kill me now."
But unsure of Dugu Feng's temperament, he feared that speaking out might actually get him killed.
Old Snake chuckled beside him—this was exactly the Young Master's style. Taking over Canghui Academy definitely had a purpose.
"Heh!" Dugu Feng stepped forward and patted Shi Nian's shoulder. "I believe in you, and you should believe in the Dugu Family's strength!"
Then Dugu Feng left, leaving a bewildered Shi Nian behind.
"Don't you know the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill?
I see Canghui Academy's team has already gathered seven students with Gemstone Spirits. As long as their Soul Skills fuse and elevate together, which academy could possibly resist them?"
Old Snake said seriously.
Shi Nian thought to himself, "As expected." Old Snake had already grasped all of Canghui Academy's information.
This Seven-in-One Fusion Skill was his trump card, the illusion technique he had been researching all along.
Shi Nian sighed. "Among these seven students, one is currently at level 39, about to break through to Soul Ancestor.
The other six are still far from reaching Soul Ancestor, and it's unlikely another one will emerge within two years.
With this lineup, the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill could defeat other academies' Soul Ancestor teams.
But recently, Spirit Hall has produced geniuses. I suspect that by the time of the tournament in two years, there will be Soul Kings participating—maybe even more than one..."
Shi Nian sighed again.
He had chosen to join an academy to experiment with his Soul Skills and had created the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill.
Naturally, he had planned to make a name for himself.
But recently, Yan's challenges had spread across all major academies, making him less confident about winning the championship.
"What are you afraid of? You have the Dugu Family backing you now. With the family's resources, how hard could it be to train a few Soul Ancestors?
The family has every resource you could need.
Push them to train relentlessly. I've reviewed the profiles of those seven students.
With full resource support, it's possible for one or two of them to break through to Soul Ancestor.
And as for Soul Masters with Gemstone Spirits—just poach a few geniuses from other academies.
Aim to assemble a team mostly composed of Soul Ancestors in two years!"
Old Snake waved his hand grandly, full of authority.
Shi Nian was inwardly astonished. If that was the case, he wouldn't hold back.
Poaching talent wasn't difficult—just offer resources or apply pressure. With the Dugu Family as his backing, could he act without restraint?
Shi Nian's heart stirred with excitement.
If he secured the championship, his name would resound across the continent.
On the academy's training grounds, Dugu Feng was in a good mood.
Having given away two Core Pearls in succession, he was left with only one inside him.
Eight Core Pearls in total—two used by the Emerald Dragon Snakes.
Yan, Shi Nian, and Zhu Zhuqing each had one, while Zhu Zhuyun had two inside her. He himself retained one.
He needed to retrieve one from Zhu Zhuyun soon—keeping two inside her was wasteful.
In summary, two Ten-Thousand Year Spirit Beasts, two Soul Ancestors, one Soul Expert, and one Soul Saint were collectively nurturing the eight Core Pearls.
After splitting the Core Pearls' energy into eight, each one retained less than twenty percent of its original power.
Another long process of energy accumulation lay ahead.
Based on the energy growth since the Core Pearl split, Dugu Feng estimated it would take several years to fully replenish.
The process of filling the Core Pearl with energy was also one of gradually strengthening his body through daily accumulation.
During this period, Dugu Feng channeled all the energy feedback from the Core Pearl into tempering his bones, meridians, and the strength of his External Soul Bone.
For his fourth Spirit Ring, Dugu Feng was determined to absorb a ten-thousand-year one.
Ten-thousand-year Spirit Rings carried mental impacts.
It seemed he would need to cultivate his Azure Phosphorus Scarlet Venom during this time—the key to resisting mental assaults.
This was one of his weaknesses.
His spiritual power wasn't that strong yet.
He also needed to plan for obtaining Immortal Herbs, preferably consuming the Autumn Water Piercing Gaze Dew to enhance his spiritual power for greater certainty.
Originally, Dugu Feng had intended to create some danger for Dugu Yan within Heaven Dou City to keep Dugu Bo occupied while he went to harvest herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
But now, Dugu Feng had changed his mind.
It was time to reclaim the Cultivated Serpent Lineage.
If Dugu Bo could serve as Tang San's enforcer, why couldn't he serve as mine?
Dugu Feng suddenly remembered his father asking him last time about his views on the Cultivated Serpent Lineage.
His response had been that everything should prioritize strengthening the family's heritage and power.
Regardless, the family's growth indeed required a Titled Douluo.
Especially as Bibi Dong's power grew—the continent was about to plunge into chaos.
If only he could control Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan was Dugu Bo's lifeline.
Dugu Feng began plotting for the future again.
None of these plans could be accomplished immediately.
While cultivating, he continuously pondered these matters and eventually discussed them with his father, Dugu Shuo.
Dugu Shuo agreed with his idea of reclaiming Dugu Bo.
Moreover, Dugu Shuo seemed quite confident?
Having such a formidable father suddenly made Dugu Feng feel much more at ease.
One day, while Dugu Feng was cultivating,
Old Snake interrupted him and led him out of Heaven Dou City.
Outside the city gates,
His father, who rarely left the ancestral hall, was present, along with Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, Dugu Bo, Ge Long, Feng Bailong, and Meng Shenji.
Almost all of Heaven Dou's powerhouses had gathered.
Upon arriving, Dugu Feng stood behind his father.
All the experts wore grave expressions, exchanging no pleasantries.
Had the Clear Sky Sect clashed with Bibi Dong?
No—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's experts were missing!!
Yu Yuanzhen wasn't here, nor was Yu Luomian.
Were they waiting for them?
After a while, there was still no movement at the city gates.
Ning Fengzhi's expression grew more solemn. "Uncle Sword, lead the way ahead. If you encounter any of Spirit Hall's Titled Douluos, inform them that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is willing to mediate their grievances!"
Sword Douluo nodded and shot into the sky, vanishing from sight.
The remaining group swiftly headed east.
Old Snake whispered to Dugu Feng, "There are signs of battle near the Clear Sky Sect's mountain gates—and the commotion isn't small..."
Dugu Feng's heart confirmed his suspicions.
He couldn't help but smile. This was exactly what should happen—they needed to fight.
How else could the reputation of the world's top sect and the premier Soul Master organization be demonstrated?
"Everyone," Ning Fengzhi continued, "when rumors first spread, I contacted the Clear Sky Sect.
During their years of seclusion, the Clear Sky Sect's strength has indeed grown rapidly—though not to the rumored extent of seven Titled Douluos."
"But their Second Elder, Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder have all been promoted to Titled Douluo!"
Ning Fengzhi suddenly stated calmly.
Upon hearing this, both Ge Long and Meng Shenji showed expressions of joy.
The stronger the Clear Sky Sect became, the better they could resist the Spirit Hall.
Only then could the Heaven Dou Empire develop peacefully. As those who sided with the imperial family, they immediately felt uplifted.
They just hoped the Clear Sky Sect wouldn't act too rashly—losing a few more Titled Experts would be heartbreaking.
(End of Chapter)