Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
At the training grounds, Dugu Feng stood before the ancient tree, short sword in hand.
His eyes were closed, mind completely immersed in his soul power.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent's energy was infused with venom, but it wasn't pure poison. It was a fusion of toxin and soul force, impossible to separate completely.
In battle, that energy had to be refined, condensed into its deadliest form. That was the essence of soul skills.
Little Snake's first ability, Jade Phosphor Violet Poison, drew venom directly from his soul ring, forming a poisonous fog to attack over a wide area.
Dugu Feng understood the principle, but he couldn't replicate it on his own. His spiritual power wasn't strong enough, nor did he have the time to create his own skill.
All he could do was pour more energy into his blade. The stronger the energy, the more venom it carried.
After a long while, he opened his eyes.
"Clang!"
His sword flashed. Dugu Feng retreated several steps, pulling away from the tree.
But his eyes were sharp, locked on the trunk.
Two faint green shadows floated from his arms, streaking forward.
Pa! Pa!
They landed on the ground instead of the tree.
He quickly bent down, picking up the two small serpents.
Nearly transparent, each no longer than three inches, their bodies bore nine distinct segments.
The Emerald Nine-Section Serpents.
The very same eggs his father had given him during awakening had finally hatched.
After falling, their crimson eyes spun in confusion, dazed and sluggish.
"Hissss…"
When they returned to his hands, the serpents calmed, gently coiling around his fingers.
Another failed attempt. Dugu Feng sighed.
Training serpents required patience.
The Emerald Nine-Section Serpent was one of the most venomous species. Its body was as tough as steel, impervious to blades.
According to clan knowledge, its greatest ability was flight.
A flying snake without wings. Unbelievable.
The Phoenix-Tail Crested Serpent flew with wings, but even fully grown, the Nine-Section Serpent reached only five inches.
Still, if trained from birth, it could glide and soar.
With his knowledge of flight, Dugu Feng understood. Its method was not true flight but gliding, body undulating to catch the air.
He stroked the muscles of the two little serpents. A memory from Blue Star surfaced—a stealth fighter jet with low, flat lines.
Suddenly, inspiration struck.
He infused threads of soul power into their bodies, pressing gently.
A strange sight appeared.
The serpents flattened, their width increasing by half.
So that was it. Their transparent, jade-like bodies were incredibly flexible. By flattening, they cut air resistance, enabling gliding.
The serpents' eyes bulged as they wriggled.
Dugu Feng flicked his wrists, sending them outward.
They sailed farther than before, bodies flat as blades before landing.
"Good. Much better."
"Still far from true flight, but it's a start."
He smiled faintly.
If Dugu Shuo saw this, he would be shocked. In just days, Dugu Feng had already grasped the secret of serpent training. Truly monstrous talent.
"Young Master, the clan leader summons you. Old Scorpion is gravely injured."
A breeze passed, and Old Snake appeared silently, his face grim.
Dugu Feng froze. "Who could hurt him?"
Over two years, he had come to know more of the clan.
Old Scorpion's true name was Dugu Xie. His martial soul was the Jade Phosphor Scorpion, just as domineering as the serpent.
Different martial soul, yet still part of the clan.
Dugu Feng had asked once, and Old Snake explained: in pursuit of stronger venoms, the family had bred across lines, sometimes even close kin.
The result was five known venomous martial souls in the clan. But the serpents remained the majority.
Dugu Xie was unique. A Soul Emperor, one of the clan's true experts.
He rarely stayed in the estate. What he did outside, no one knew.
Dugu Feng quickly wrapped the two Emerald Serpents around his wrists.
Then he followed Old Snake straight to the council hall.
Inside, the first person he saw was a woman in black, face veiled, slim figure graceful. Long hair spilled down her back like a dark waterfall.
Only her eyes were visible—large, beautiful, and expressive, each blink like a word unspoken.
She seemed young, judging by her height.
When she saw him and Old Snake enter, she merely nodded in greeting.
"This is Ye Lingling of the Nine-Heart Begonia clan," Old Snake explained. "She came with her grandfather, Clan Leader Ye, who is treating Old Scorpion now.
When you enter the academy, she will be your senior."
"I greet Miss Ye." Dugu Feng bowed seriously.
He hadn't expected to meet her here.
Ye Lingling, one of the most pitiful figures in Douluo.
At this age, she should be eleven or twelve.
Though her veil hid her face, her eyes carried unmistakable loneliness, utterly unlike a normal girl's liveliness.
Knowing her martial soul, Dugu Feng understood. Like the Dugu clan's own poison, her spirit had flaws, tied to death from the moment she was born.
Cruel fate.
After acknowledging him, Ye Lingling's gaze returned calmly to the hall. No ripples of emotion stirred.
Dugu Feng followed her eyes.
On a chair sat a pale-faced man, brows furrowed in pain.
Before him stood an older man in black robes, jade pendant at his waist. Gentle as a scholar, he radiated calm as he released soft white light from his hand.
That was Ye Qingxin, Clan Leader of the Nine-Heart Begonia.
On the way, Dugu Feng had already learned his name.
The elegant glow of his martial soul filled the hall.
A pink begonia blossom floated behind him, petals white and rose, shining faintly.
Each pulse of light carried soothing warmth, elegant and refined.
And behind that bloom, his strength revealed itself.
Seven spirit rings gleamed.
A Soul Sage.