The selection and decision of the Great Arena of Souls' controllers was held once every six years, and the next assembly was about to begin.
This gathering involved all the major powers.
And with the Clear Sky Sect's withdrawal and the Yu Clan stepping down, a huge share of interests had been left vacant. The coming battle would be a clash of dragons and tigers.
Dugu Shuo's eyes turned cold. "Whoever dares move against us had better be prepared to lose a few teeth.
When it comes to poison… let's see who dares play that game against me."
He gave a cold snort.
Eventually, father and son walked into a slightly larger cavern.
"Greetings, Patriarch. Greetings, Young Master." Two figures were waiting inside.
One was an elder with fiery red eyebrows and beard. His entire head of hair was a deep blood-red, falling neatly behind him. The sight was so fearsome that even Dugu Feng stared twice.
Behind him stood a man in his thirties, somewhat resembling the elder—most likely his son.
Dugu Shuo nodded slightly. "Old Nine, this time I need you to act."
Dugu Feng guessed this was because his martial spirit was the Nine Heaven Centipede—hence the name, Old Nine.
The elder's face stiffened, then twisted in anger. "Patriarch, even when the Clear Sky Sect retreated and the world was in chaos, we weren't summoned. Now… who dares provoke the clan?"
The man behind him also looked shocked. For them to be called meant the clan faced life and death.
"There is a powerful poison master right here in Heaven Dou City," Dugu Shuo said coldly. "His methods are similar to the Breaking Clan, most likely Yang Wudi or Yang Wushuang. With them, some faction believes they no longer need to fear us."
Old Snake had once explained: the clan's greatest deterrent was simple. Unless all of them were killed in one strike, their enemies would forever face endless poison strikes afterward. No power wished to deal with such a nightmare.
But if there was a poison master stronger than the Dugu Clan who was more skilled at poisoning, more skilled at curing…then that threat was gone.
And clearly, that was the current situation.
"The Breaking Clan always remained secluded in Star Luo. But Yang Wushuang disappeared when the Clear Sky Sect withdrew. Have they joined another power? Patriarch, I will find him! No one is allowed to use poison in Heaven Dou City but us!" Old Nine said viciously.
Dugu Feng sneered inwardly. Such arrogance.
"Father, if this is Spirit Hall's move, it must be tied to the Six-Clan Assembly. At that time, they may very well borrow the aid of the Sacred Dragon Clan or the Elephant Armored Sect."
Old Nine and his son both looked toward Dugu Feng. It was their first time seeing him.
Dugu Shuo clasped his hands behind his back, pondering. "Feng'er, your reasoning is sound. Old Nine, when we depart, you will follow behind us in secret. Find this poison master."
Old Nine was startled. The patriarch actually took the young master's words so seriously?
He knew very well Dugu Shuo always made decisions alone. Yet this time, he was listening to the boy.
"Yes, Patriarch!"
"From now on," Dugu Shuo added, "if anything happens to me, you, Xiao Jiu, and every Nine Heaven Centipede soul master will all obey Feng'er's orders."
This was the true reason he had brought Dugu Feng here.
The storm was coming. He had to prepare for the worst.
Old Nine and Xiao Jiu exchanged grave looks. "Understood."
Dugu Feng's heart trembled. So Father had indeed sensed the emperor's poisoning and already recognized a looming crisis?
But how would he respond?
The next day, the delegation to the Six-Clan Assembly was ready to set out.
And the location was not one Dugu Feng had expected. It was a name deeply familiar to him - Soto City.
Coincidence? Or was there something more to this city?
Soto City was the second most important city of the Balak Kingdom, second only to its capital.
It sat on the fertile Lima Plains, the kingdom's granary, making it a natural logistics hub.
It was also the first major city inside Heaven Dou after crossing from Star Luo.
If the border fell, Soto City would be the first fortress of resistance.
And later, Shrek Academy would be established there. Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing… their presence in that city was no accident.
The Zhu Clan and the Dai Clan, two of the Great Arena's controlling families, they belonged to Star Luo. Clearly, the location was chosen with them in mind.
—
Outside Heaven Dou City.
Before a massive carriage, Dugu Shuo, Dugu Feng, Little Snake, Old Snake, and Old Scorpion stood with five more clan soul masters, ready to depart.
The carriage was drawn by eight warhorses infused with spirit beast bloodlines, wide enough for three men abreast, spacious enough for ten inside.
Old Snake had introduced the five accompanying soul masters: two with Ice Toad spirits, one with a Bicolor Scorpion, one with a Burrow Centipede, and one with a brilliantly coloured venomous Flower Spider. (T/N : In CN 5 poisons are snake poison, scorpion poison, centipede poison, spider poison and toad poison. Very common in Gu related novels.)
Truly, the Five Poisons gathered.
Ahead stood the Ge Clan's carriage, with Ge Ying visible outside. Within, his father Ge Long, a Soul Douluo, must be waiting.
They had already been waiting for a while. Just as restlessness began to spread, another carriage rolled in.
This one was taller than most.
When it stopped, a towering mountain of flesh leapt down. The man stood two and a half meters, skin dark, eyes like copper bells. His landing made the ground tremble.
His hair and beard were completely white. He was at least sixty years of age.
Thud, thud, thud. More heavy steps followed.
From both sides of the carriage, over a dozen burly men jumped down. Every one of them was over two meters tall. Dugu Feng quickly counted: thirteen. Adding the elder made fourteen.
How those horses had pulled them, he could not imagine.
The fourteen stood in rows, as solid as a wall, moving forward slowly.
There was only one sect that could muster such an imposing lineup: the Elephant Armored Sect.
Dugu Feng and Old Snake exchanged glances, both flashing a trace of cold light.
The Elephant Sect had brought too many men. Just as they suspected—ill intent.
"Apologies for being late, everyone. Unlike you, we are not based in Heaven Dou City. Forgive us, forgive us.
This time, our Elephant Armored Sect and Thunderclap Academy represent the Five Elemental Alliance at this gathering. They will arrive shortly."
Hu Yanzhen laughed loudly, voice booming as he clasped his fists to everyone.
Dugu Shuo gave a glance but no reply.
"So this is young Feng, eh? If the clans decide to duel, I imagine he will shine brightly.
Excellent, excellent. I heard at the Royal Junior Academy, even two of the Wind Sword Sect's brats could not defeat him alone.
The Dugu Clan has birthed another genius!"
Hu Yanzhen seemed oblivious to Dugu Shuo's indifference, even stepping closer to praise Dugu Feng.
Dugu Feng's eyes turned cold. Perhaps it was just prejudice, but he felt Hu Yanzhen's tone carried pity.
As if lamenting: such a talent… was soon going to die.
Dugu Feng sneered inwardly. We will see who dies first.