Dugu Feng's heart shook.
A soul bone—something that could solve the poison outbreak of their bloodline. For the Dugu clan, it was life and death itself.
He suddenly remembered. In the Soul Master Tournament, Huyan Zhen's grandson, Huyan Li had possessed a soul bone. (T/N : Huyan Li - The guy who was beaten by Tang San)
Could it be… that this was when they obtained it?
Moments later, Dugu Shuo spoke calmly. "Old Snake, bring back that soul bone. Take Feng'er with you. While you're there, let him hunt his first soul ring."
"Yes, Clan Leader." Old Snake's tone was flat, as though it were no more than an errand.
"Yes, Father." Dugu Feng's heart leapt, but his face remained calm. Finally, the time to obtain his first soul ring had come.
Just then, Old Scorpion struggled to his feet. He stepped forward and produced a gleaming green belt, its surface etched with a serpent motif. "This storage soul guide will suit the Young Master. It has thirty-six cubic meters of space. Consider it my first gift."
Dugu Feng's eyes lit up. Storage space—essential for any cultivator, whether in travel or battle. Thirty-six cubic meters was more than enough.
He looked toward his father, barely able to hide his longing.
Dugu Shuo accepted the belt and stepped forward, fastening it around Feng's waist himself. "Your first journey outside. Listen to Old Snake in all things."
Dugu Feng felt a strange warmth. From all his inherited memories, this was the first time his father had shown such personal care.
"Yes, Father. I'll be careful."
Dugu Shuo nodded slightly.
Old Snake saluted, then led Feng toward the gate.
Although they were headed out in pursuit of a soul bone, Old Snake did not seem rushed. At the gates, he waited until a carriage arrived. The two boarded and rolled steadily toward the city outskirts.
Through the curtains, Feng watched the bustling crowds of Heaven Dou City.
A strange feeling filled his chest. Inside the clan, life was cold and quiet, filled with silence and poison. But here, the world bustled with life.
For the first time, he felt the true weight of this world.
From today… I begin my path to become the Poison King. I'll rise above all, feared and revered. Every corner of Douluo Continent will carry my name.
His heart surged with determination.
Soon, the carriage left the city behind.
Old Snake remained as always, silent, eyes closed, as though meditating.
Dugu Feng toyed with the storage belt for a while, testing it with soul power, before turning to his two Emerald Nine-Section Serpents coiled on his wrists.
Even as juveniles, they glowed faintly jade-green. Wrapped twice around his wrists, they looked like living bangles.
He guided streams of warmth from his Pill Pearls to envelop them.
The tiny serpents' red eyes blinked brightly. They hissed softly, clearly enjoying themselves.
From the moment they hatched, they had enjoyed the nourishment of a Title Douluo's treasure. The treatment of kings.
One day, these two will be my greatest trump card.
The journey passed quietly, half a day gone before they knew it.
At last, a sea of towering trees came into view.
Sunset Forest.
The canopy was so dense that it blocked out the sun, leaving the forest cloaked in shadow.
The moment Feng stepped beneath the trees, he felt it—a different kind of energy in the air.
It was refreshing, almost comforting.
His eyes narrowed. Is this the influence of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well at the forest's heart?
The forest was infamous for its venomous soul beasts—Human-Faced Demon Spiders, Earth Cave Spiders, Earth Kings. A paradise of poison.
No doubt, many of his future soul rings would come from here.
"Follow me."
Old Snake's voice was sharp.
His body blurred, melting into the forest's shadows, slipping from trunk to trunk like a serpent in the dark.
Feng followed, his heart pounding. This was the Serpent-Belly Sword's footwork in motion.
He mimicked the pace, body light and agile, chasing after.
They moved swiftly, almost as though they had a clear destination.
The terrain grew rugged, stone ridges rising here and there.
A faint hiss reached Feng's ears. His senses sharpened instantly.
"There's a soul beast nearby."
"Well spotted." Old Snake's tone carried approval. "It's only a hundred-year Mandala Snake. Don't worry. To it, we're kin."
This was one of the forest's infamous snake pits. For miles around, venomous serpents thrived.
They pressed on.
Another hiss slithered through the air.
A massive serpent slid from the undergrowth. Its body shone emerald, but at its neck, black-green scales gleamed.
"There. That's the one.
Look at its neck. Each black-green scale marks one year of cultivation. Count them, and you know its age.
This one has nearly six hundred. A six-hundred-year Jade Phosphor Serpent. Feng'er, do you dare take it?"
Feng's pulse raced. Six hundred years—dangerous, but not impossible. His body was stronger than Little Snake's, even though the latter was already a Grandmaster.
Old Snake's choice wasn't coincidence.
Before Feng could answer, Old Snake moved. In the blink of an eye, the serpent collapsed, unconscious.
Feng's eyes widened. Old Snake's poison had reached the third stage—able to release venom from any part of the body, even unseen.
Perhaps this was why no beasts had harassed them on their way. His poison formed a veil, a hidden domain that warded enemies away.
Poison—silent, merciless. Truly a perfect weapon.
"Old Snake, since you believe in me, I'll give it my all."
Feng steadied his breath. Short sword in hand, he struck.
Steel pierced seven inches below the serpent's head. The blade cut clean through, splitting the great snake in two.
Without pause, Feng worked the blade down its length, his movements smooth, practiced.
Like a butcher at the block.
Two years of training had hardened him. Half a year, one snake a day—one hundred eighty.
Another year and a half, two snakes a day—one thousand and eighty.
In total, he had consumed more than eleven hundred snakes.
Dissecting one now was as easy as breathing.
In moments, the serpent's meat was neatly stacked, ready for later meals.
Only then did Feng turn his gaze toward the glowing yellow soul ring rising from the corpse.