Of course, once a family declined and could no longer produce strong fighters, the other clans would waste no time kicking them while they were down.
At six, as only a one-ring Spirit Master, Dugu Feng had already decided: he would dominate this tier.
No matter which clan sent someone out, he would defeat them.
He just hadn't expected one of his opponents to be Zhu Zhuqing.
What struck him as odd was how the two sisters interacted. From their conversation, he could tell the bond between Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing wasn't nearly as hostile as the future he knew. In fact, Zhu Zhuyun clearly cared about her younger sister.
"Dugu Feng, are you eavesdropping?!"
Zhuyun suddenly turned, catching him directly. Though her words sounded accusatory, her lips still curved in a smile.
"Huh, you know my name?" Dugu Feng blinked in surprise. After all, his clan had just arrived.
Zhuyun's eyes flickered curiously. "Up here, only the Six Great Families gather. And among them, you're the only one-ring Spirit Master , and with green hair at that. If you're not Dugu Feng, who else could you be?"
"You two must be Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing," Dugu Feng said with a calm smile. "I wasn't eavesdropping. I was listening openly. You were speaking so loudly…and besides, you were talking about me."
"Hmph! Dugu Feng, your clan only knows how to use poison, and still you don't allow others to mention it? You even dared to accuse us of colluding with the Po Clan to poison your caravan? Our Zhu Clan acts upright and honest—we would never stoop to such disgraceful tricks!"
Zhuyun's face suddenly hardened, her voice sharp.
"That's what the Sacred Dragon Clan told you, isn't it?" Feng sneered. "Heh. They're the ones who just sponsored the Black Tiger Sect to replace the Yu Clan's old seat. Foolish! Use your brain."
"You—you… what did you say?"
Zhuyun's chest rose and fell sharply, fury in her eyes. No one had ever dared call her foolish.
As the Zhu Clan's most gifted daughter, betrothed to a prince the moment she awakened her martial spirit, she was treated with nothing but flattery across the Star Luo Empire. By now, not even fifteen years old, she had already reached level thirty-seven and was almost certainly destined to be Star Luo's future empress.
Her pride ran deep. She knew the Sacred Dragon Clan might be trying to sow discord, but from her lofty perspective, she had intended to use that as leverage against the Dugu's. Instead, this boy had mocked her outright.
"Want me to say it again?" Feng asked with an incredulous look, as if she were insane.
Zhuyun was ready to explode.
"Elder Sister, don't let him provoke you," Zhu Zhuqing interjected coldly, tugging at her hand. "Save your anger for the arena…I'll make him pay you back there!"
Zhuyun forced herself to calm, her expression smoothing over. "On the stage, we'll show your clan what true power means. Come, Zhuqing."
Hand in hand, the two sisters turned, leaving Feng with their slender backs.
"Truly close sisters," Feng mused, shaking his head. "It only proves my suspicion. When Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing come to Soto City in the future, it won't be by chance."
"Master, she's already taken. You mustn't look too much."
Feng nearly choked. What the hell are you thinking, Snake?
He ignored the boy and sat down right where the sisters had been seated.
"Master, I noticed your appetite's grown these past days. So, I bought you something you like."
Little Snake promptly produced a food box.
The rich aromas made Feng's mouth water, and he immediately dug in.
Right now, he needed all the energy he could get.
Two more days on the road had brought his Pearl's energy to ninety-two. With just four more days of sleepless cultivation and enough food, he could reach the limit.
The thought thrilled him.
But the appearance of multiple Title Douluo along the way had given him pressure like never before. Spirit Hall's growing strength, Qian Renxue hidden within Heaven Dou…danger loomed ever closer.
Father was right: Emperor Xue Ye's poison would eat away at him for years, allowing Qian Renxue time to prepare. She was only seventeen now, no stronger than a Spirit King.
But eventually, the truth would surface.
Yes, their clan could side with Qian Renxue—but Dugu Feng had no desire to be anyone's lackey. Especially not for two women as unpredictable as her and Bibi Dong.
No… I'll rely on myself.
The more he thought, the more he ate, until Snake worried he hadn't bought enough.
"Phew."
Feng leaned back, satisfied. With his belly full, he ignored the duels below and returned to his chamber to cultivate.
By morning, his Pearl's energy had risen another two points, reaching ninety-four. The progress was intoxicating.
After a quick breakfast, he followed the attendants down to the Spirit Arena.
The Six Families' duels were about to begin. Their was no drawn-out meetings, just six days of pure combat.
This time, thanks to the Sacred Dragon Clan's sponsorship, the Black Tiger Sect would also compete.
Unfortunately for them, neither Heaven Dou nor Star Luo would tolerate their entry. Fierce resistance awaited them.
The Dugu Clan's roster included Feng, Little Snake, Old Scorpion, Old Snake, plus three others—an Ice Toad spirit master, an Earth Centipede spirit master, and a Flower Spider spirit master. Together, they spanned ranks from Spirit Master to Spirit Saint.
Each would face the six other clans at their level. But to keep their stake, the Dugu only needed to dominate one tier. That burden rested squarely on Feng's shoulders.
He had to win six matches in a row.
Led onto the stage, Feng was startled to find the arena packed with spectators.
So much for privacy. Even a duel deciding the Arena's control didn't stop the owners from selling tickets.
Figures. Nothing stops the Arena from making money.
Moments later, his first opponent strode in—a black-clad youth, shoulders broad, eyes glowing with sinister light.
"Dugu Feng. Martial Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent. Sixteenth rank, one-ring Battle Spirit Master."
"Hei Tian. Martial Spirit: Black Demon Tiger. Eighteenth rank, one-ring Battle Spirit Master." (T/N : In the orignal novel only Hu Qianxing is mentioned. Now I am not sure what surname to give here to Hei Tian. His name in CN is basically Black Heaven. So have translated it to Hei Tian.)
As he spoke, Tian's eyes flared. His arms expanded, fur sprouting, claws like black blades gleaming. His body coiled like a spring, then—
He lunged, a ravenous tiger pouncing straight at Dugu Feng!