Chapter 42: Sisterly Bonds
Of course, if any clan declined over time and could no longer produce strong soul masters, the others would show no mercy—waiting eagerly to strike them down.
At level sixteen, Dugu Feng was already a one-ring Soul Master, and he had made up his mind—he would dominate this rank.
No matter who his opponent was from the other families, he intended to win.
What surprised him, however, was that one of his potential opponents turned out to be Zhu Zhuqing.
Listening to the sisters' conversation, Dugu Feng sensed something curious—their relationship wasn't nearly as hostile as legends later claimed. Zhu Zhuyun actually seemed protective of her younger sister.
"Dugu Feng, are you eavesdropping?!"
Zhu Zhuyun turned her head toward him, smiling even as she scolded him.
"Huh? You know my name?" Dugu Feng blinked in surprise. The Dugu Clan had only just arrived.
Her bright eyes shimmered with interest. "Everyone up here belongs to the Six Great Families. You're the only one with a single ring and green hair. If you're not Dugu Feng, then who else could you be?"
"You two must be Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing," Dugu Feng said lightly. "And for the record, I wasn't eavesdropping. I was openly listening. You were the ones talking so loudly—besides, you were talking about me."
"Hmph! Dugu Feng, all your family knows is poison, and we can't even say that?" Zhu Zhuyun's temper flared. "You accuse us of colluding with the Breaking Clan to poison your convoy? The Zhu Clan acts with integrity—we'd never stoop to such vile tricks!"
Dugu Feng grinned faintly. "That story came from the Holy Dragon Sect, didn't it? Hah. The same sect that's recommending the Black Tiger Sect to take the Yu Clan's place. Think about it for a second."
"You—you… what did you just say?"
Zhu Zhuyun's face flushed red. Her chest heaved visibly from anger.
No one had ever dared insinuate she lacked intelligence before.
As the Zhu Clan's most gifted woman, she'd awakened her martial soul and been engaged to the Star Luo royal prince from a young age. In her homeland, people treated her like a goddess. At only fifteen, she had already reached rank thirty-seven—almost destined to become the future Empress of Star Luo.
Proud as she was, she had known the Holy Dragon Sect's intentions were suspicious, but her instinct to assert dominance still had her trying to lecture Dugu Feng—only to be mercilessly mocked.
"Do you need me to repeat it?" Dugu Feng tilted his head, genuinely puzzled, as if she were the one acting irrationally.
Zhu Zhuyun's fury nearly exploded.
"Sister, he's trying to provoke you," Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, pulling her arm. "Don't waste words with him. I'll avenge you in the arena."
Zhu Zhuyun took a deep breath, regaining composure. "Very well. On the platform, the Dugu clan will learn our true strength. Come, Zhuqing."
Hand in hand, the sisters turned and walked away, leaving Dugu Feng with their graceful backs.
"What deep sisterly affection," Dugu Feng murmured. "It only confirms my suspicion. When Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing eventually come to Suoto City, it's definitely for a reason."
Beside him, a quiet voice said, "Young Master, she's already taken—you shouldn't stare."
It was Little Snake, appearing out of nowhere.
Dugu Feng sighed, exasperated. "What on earth are you thinking?"
He sat down casually on the same round viewing platform the sisters had occupied moments earlier.
"Young Master," Little Snake said briskly, opening a food container, "I noticed you've been eating a lot these past few days, so I bought some of your favorites."
The array of dishes made Dugu Feng's mouth water. He dug in happily, eating like a man possessed.
After all, he needed the energy.
During the past two days of travel, the energy within his inner bead had already risen to ninety-two.
In just four more days of sleepless cultivation and constant energy intake, it would be full.
The thought filled him with excitement.
The recent encounters with Titled Douluo had shown him how immense the gap was. Spirit Hall was growing more domineering by the day, and within Heaven Dou itself lurked Qian Renxue—both capable of bringing ruin to his family at any time.
According to his father, Emperor Xue Ye's poison would linger for years.
Qian Renxue clearly wasn't ready to take the throne yet. At just seventeen, her strength was around Soul King level—still too weak.
His father wouldn't expose the poisoning anytime soon, buying their clan a little more time. But that reckoning would eventually come.
Aligning with her seemed convenient… but serving under someone else didn't suit him. Besides, both Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong were anything but rational.
He would rely on himself alone.
The more he thought about it, the faster he ate—so much that Little Snake began to worry he hadn't bought enough.
"Ahh."
Dugu Feng exhaled with satisfaction after finishing everything.
Full and content, he ignored the battles below and returned to his chamber for cultivation.
By morning, the inner bead's energy had risen another two points—to ninety-four.
That progress thrilled him.
After breakfast, he left the room feeling sharp and ready.
The battle of the Six Great Families was about to begin.
No needless formalities—no meetings.
The tournament would last six days, overseen directly by the Grand Soul Arena's management.
Because of the Holy Dragon Sect's intervention, the Black Tiger Sect would also participate this time.
Unfortunately for them, both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo factions would be determined to crush them savagely.
Dugu Feng's team for the Dugu Clan included himself, Little Snake, Old Scorpion, Old Snake, and three others known collectively as the Five Spirits—a mixed group by rank.
They fielded six combatants, spanning from Soul Master to Soul Saint rank.
Each would face all six opposing clans at their same rank—Dugu Feng's challenge was to defeat every one of his six counterparts at the Soul Master stage.
Total victory was the only option.
Led by staff, Dugu Feng stepped onto the arena platform—and froze.
There were spectators.
He had assumed such an important event would be private, but instead the stands were packed, the venue still selling tickets.
Nothing could stop the Grand Soul Arena from chasing profit.
Moments later, his opponent arrived: a black-clad youth with broad shoulders and predatory eyes glinting with malice.
"The first fight—Dugu Feng, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent, rank 16, one-ring Battle Soul Master!"
"Black Tian, Martial Soul: Black Demon Tiger, rank 18, one-ring Battle Soul Master!"
As soon as Black Tian finished speaking, a dark light flashed across his eyes. His arms swelled grotesquely, coated in black tiger fur, his fingers forming sharp, claw-like blades.
With a coiled motion like a spring, he lunged forward—a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey.
(END CHAPTER)
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