Once again, Dugu Feng felt the Pearl tremble.
The poison afflicting Ge Ying was the same kind that lurked in the Heaven Dou Emperor's body.
But the Emperor's poison was a slow, creeping death. It corroded vitality little by little, until years later his passing would look like nothing more than old age.
Ge Ying's case was different. His poison was explosive - erupting all at once.
And in this convoy, the only ones who could control such toxins were from the Dugu Clan. No wonder the Ge Clan soul masters looked at them with suspicion.
Could it be the enemy's goal was to frame the Dugu Clan, to isolate them from their allies?
As Dugu Feng's thoughts raced, Dugu Shuo's hair turned a deep violet, his whole body glowing as multicolored light surged and spread.
That radiant glow covered Ge Ying.
Within the light, Dugu Feng and Ge Long could see every detail of Ge Ying's skin and meridians.
The colorful energy seeped carefully into his body.
The scene lasted for a full quarter-hour.
Then the glow recoiled sharply.
The black-green pallor on Ge Ying's skin had already faded by more than half. Golden soul light shone from him once again.
Ge Long let out a long breath, gratitude written all over his face. "Many thanks, Patriarch Dugu!"
"The poison is complicated…it is a mixture of several toxins. I cannot completely eradicate it right now. At any moment, the hidden hand behind this could trigger it again, changing its form and forcing it to flare."
Dugu Shuo's tone was icy.
Ge Long's expression hardened, fury rising. "Who dares act with such impudence, to strike my son with poison?!"
"Patriarch Dugu, should you not give us an explanation? Within this convoy, the only ones capable of poisoning in silence are from your clan!"
A sharp voice boomed from outside—it was Tuoba Xi!
Father and son exchanged a glance. Both knew: the enemy had made their move.
"Tuoba Xi, our journey has been peaceful until your Sacred Dragon Clan joined us. And immediately after, Ge Ying is poisoned. Shouldn't you be the one explaining?"
Old Snake's cold voice cut from outside the carriage.
The Ge Clan soul masters, who had been glaring daggers at the Dugu Clan, froze at those words. Doubt rippled through them.
"Humph. My Sacred Dragon Clan has brought eleven soul mastersthis time. All well-known, none versed in poison. Ge Clan is welcome to inspect them."
Tuoba Xi's proud voice carried as he swept his gaze arrogantly around.
By now, the Elephant Sect's group had also gathered.
"Tuoba Xi, don't try to sow discord within Heaven Dou's forces. Patriarch Dugu has no reason to harm Ge Ying. If Patriarch Ge doubts, our Elephant Sect's carriage is also open for inspection. The culprit must not walk free!"
Hu Yanzhen spoke righteously, his words seemingly defending the Dugu Clan.
Then, slyly, his eyes shifted to the Thunderclap Academy's carriage, drawing everyone's attention there.
The figure leading Thunderclap stepped down slowly.
He wore a fitted blue uniform, long blue hair flowing behind him, his strong frame moving with vigor.
A faint smile played at his lips, as though none of this mattered to him.
Yu Luomian. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's second master. Father of Liu Erlong. Uncle of Yu Xiaogang, one of the famed Golden Iron Triangle.
For him to appear here in person was unexpected. Normally, his clan only supported Thunderclap from the shadows.
"If Patriarch Ge has doubts, our Thunderclap carriage too may be opened to inspection," Yu Luomian said evenly. His tone brimmed with confidence. But he offered no defense for the Dugu Clan.
The carriage door creaked open.
Dugu Shuo, Dugu Feng, and Ge Long stepped out together.
"I believe this matter is not the doing of the Dugu Clan. If someone dares attempt to drive a wedge between us, they will pay the price," Ge Long declared coldly.
His gaze swept over Tuoba Xi, sharp and unkind.
The truth of who had struck was secondary.
What mattered was this: only Dugu Shuo could keep his son alive. Even if he had been the poisoner, Ge Long would have to swallow it down—for now.
But in his eyes, the odds of it being Dugu Shuo were slim. There was no reason for it.
Tuoba Xi sneered. "Patriarch Ge, you put the bigger picture first, but I'll still warn you—some clans only dare act in the shadows."
"Tuoba Xi," Old Snake hissed, "if you suspect us, show proof. Otherwise, you had best beware for your own clan's safety."
His eyes were sharp as venom, darting across the faces of every Sacred Dragon Clan soul master, one by one.
Though only a Soul Sage, his killing intent made even Tuoba Xi frown, his men shuddering as phantom fangs seemed to pierce their minds.
One bite—instant death!
"Those who are clean need no defense," Dugu Shuo said lightly.
He turned, returned to his carriage, not sparing another glance.
Dugu Feng and the others followed, shutting the door behind them.
Inside, all eyes fixed on the patriarch.
"The poison in Ge Ying's body, I've already deciphered. It can be purged at any time. Three toxins combined. Today, Tuoba Xi arrived, and with his unique aura, triggered the outbreak.
Since someone wishes to pit their poison against mine… what do you say we should do?"
Dugu Shuo's lips curved in a cold smile.
"Poison them back!"
Old Snake spat the words like venom.
"Poison them back!" The other five poison soul masters echoed furiously.
To try framing the Dugu Clan with poison? Laughable!
"The Sacred Dragon Clan's sudden appearance proves Spirit Hall's hand in this. With even you unable to find the poisoner, it must be a Title Douluo concealing their tracks.
If I'm not mistaken, before long someone else in the convoy will fall to poison. The Sacred Dragon Clan will use that as excuse to turn on us. Then, at the crucial moment, the Elephant Sect will strike."
They thought the Dugu Clan ignorant of their ties.
But Tuoba Lan and Hu Yanlie had already died under Old Snake's hand. The Dugu Clan knew the truth all too well.
With Spirit Hall behind them, the presence of a Title Douluo was no surprise.
Old Snake and the others darkened. Against a Title Douluo, what could they do?
"Heh. If they plan to rely on the Elephant Sect's betrayal rather than unleashing a Title Douluo outright, it means they still fear to act too boldly. That is our chance.
Father…let's poison them harder. Since they think they're unafraid of our clan's poison, let's see if their hidden master can handle it."
Dugu Feng's eyes gleamed cold.
Now was not the time for Spirit Hall to start a full-scale war. Bibi Dong had sat on the throne for seven years, but her campaign was still in the shadows—drawing allies Nand cutting away obstacles.
It was not yet time for open exterminations.
And deep down, Dugu Feng suspected his father had prepared measures he still knew nothing about.