At the same time, in Heaven Dou City.
Inside the ancestral hall of the Dugu residence, Old Scorpion came in with a heavy heart. At a glance, he saw Dugu Shuo seated cross-legged in cultivation.
Over a year had passed, yet Dugu Shuo hadn't changed much. If anything, his hair had grown greener.
"Old Scorpion, why did you return alone? Where is Feng'er?"
Sensing him, Dugu Shuo immediately stood up.
"Patriarch, after leaving Soto City, I escorted the young master toward the Extreme North. About four months ago, the young master successfully absorbed the soul ring of the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion…and even unexpectedly gained an external spirit bone…"
Old Scorpion recounted everything piece by piece.
At first, Dugu Shuo's face was full of worry. Then it turned to excitement. Finally, his expression changed completely.
"What? A place full of slaughter? That must be the City of Slaughter!"
Dugu Shuo could no longer remain calm. With the Dugu Clan's inheritance, he naturally knew of such a place.
A land steeped in mystery, said to be the domain left behind by a god. Anyone who entered would be overwhelmed by killing intent.
And rumors said, if one could pass that god's trial, they might inherit his legacy.
Many major factions had sent people there, but none had ever returned.
Old Scorpion sighed. "The young master's external spirit bone is powerful. I intended to temper him a little, but once he understood the situation, he insisted there must be great fortune within and chose to enter!"
"There is indeed fortune there…but even greater danger!" Dugu Shuo muttered, frowning.
In his eyes, Dugu Feng had inherited his upbringing and carried the obsession of restoring the glory of the Poison Branch. But still, he shouldn't be reckless!
"Patriarch, the young master is very strong. Before even entering that Slaughter Town, he killed spirit masters at the Spirit Ancestor level with his poison. And those two Nine-Segment Jades are his helpers as well…"
Old Scorpion quickly explained Dugu Feng's feats.
Dugu Shuo's face, however, grew heavier.
If Feng'er is trapped there, what a loss it would be to the clan.
Yet soon, his eyes flashed. "Feng'er's life is hard as iron. Even at four years old, poison flare-ups couldn't kill him. He won't die so easily. Perhaps this truly is his chance. Who can tell whether it is fortune or calamity?"
He paused, then added grimly, "Recently, my second uncle was grievously wounded by Chrysanthemum Douluo of Spirit Hall. Near Sunset Forest. If not for the commotion drawing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two Titled Douluo to intervene, the outcome would've been uncertain."
Old Scorpion's eyes widened. Though the two branches bore enmity, Dugu Bo's presence was still the greatest deterrent for their enemies.
"Afterward, my second uncle claimed it was a mere sparring match. But both of us know—Spirit Hall surely meant to kill him!"
Dugu Shuo's gaze turned sharp. "Perhaps Feng'er's absence spares him from the storm now brewing over Heaven Dou City."
Old Scorpion sneered. "Is the deterrence we showed last time still not enough? Should we act again?"
His tone was venomous—the Dugu Clan was not to be trifled with.
"No rush. Until they remove my second uncle, they won't dare openly strike at the clan."
Dugu Shuo sneered coldly.
Since that incident, Dugu Bo had kept his movements secret. The enemy, too, seemed hesitant, fearing to stir the snake.
Emperor Xue Ye's body was still slowly being gnawed by the poison, his body gradually aging. But since it hadn't worsened, it meant their foes had not yet made their move. There was still time!
Dugu Shuo glanced at his own dark-green hair, a cold smile tugging his lips.
With his spirit bone, he hadn't solved his poison entirely, but his medicines had greatly suppressed its outbreaks, even allowing him to rise another level—now Saint Douluo, rank seventy-seven!
Yet outwardly, he continued to feign his condition worsening.
He knew all too well that Dugu Bo bore hatred toward his Poison Branch. With Dugu Xin dead and himself still alive, Dugu Bo's ruthless nature would never forgive!
"Second Uncle, Feng'er's fate is as hard as iron. He will change the Poison Branch's future. Your Serpent Branch… has no future at all."
A cold sneer lingered in his heart.
…
In the imperial palace, within the Crown Prince's manor.
Inside a study, Qian Renxue—disguised as Xue Qinghe, rested back against a chair, fingers lightly tapping the desk.
"Your Highness, from Spirit City, there is still no trace of the culprit who slaughtered the Elephant Armored Sect's one hundred and thirty-eight people."
Behind her stood an unremarkable old man of medium build—none other than Porcupinefish Douluo, her hidden protector.
"Still need to ask?" Qian Renxue sneered. "Hu Yanzhen was poisoned on the road by Dugu Shuo. Then, within the sect itself, every last one—men, women, children, all died mysteriously. Who else could it be but the Dugu Clan?!?"
"And don't tell me none of the soul masters involved have been traced."
Her tone was sharp, dripping with ridicule.
This had been one of the great upheavals a year ago, shaking the soul master world!
Except for fourteen sent to Soto City, the Elephant Armored Sect's entire base—one Soul Sage, several Soul Kings, countless lower ranks down to the children—everyone was annihilated in a single night!
Everyone suspected the Dugu Clan.
But at that time, Dugu Shuo and two of his experts had been in Heaven Dou City attending a banquet. And the city was days away from the Elephant Sect's home.
Thus, suspicion was "cleared."
Even so, Qian Renxue was certain that this was the work of their hidden forces.
Yet nearly a year had passed without a single clue surfacing.
Porcupinefish Douluo admitted with shame, "Both She Long and I have kept our eyes on them. No unfamiliar soul masters. Dugu Shuo's son, Dugu Feng, has also vanished for over a year. He hasn't appeared in the soul master world at all."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered—she remembered giving that boy a Crown Prince's token. Back then, she had pitied him as a talent doomed to die young.
Now, it seemed she had underestimated this clan.
"What of Dugu Bo's recent movements?" she asked.
Porcupinefish Douluo shook his head again.
"Then hold off all actions for now. It isn't time to strike. We must focus on raising strength."
Her tone was calm, measured.
Her plan was clear: reach at least Soul Douluo rank, absorb three inherited soul bones, then rise to Titled Douluo. Only then, with both military and soul master power under her, would she make her move to seize the throne.
For now—it was too early. Drawing the eyes of Ning Fengzhi, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, or the Clear Sky Clan would be disastrous.
"Let them live a little longer. Once my strength rises, none will stop me from unifying the continent."
Qian Renxue's gaze was firm.