Chapter 46: Tricking the Zhu Sisters into Eating the Energy Beads
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes turned hazy. Is he really this ruthless? He wants to kill me?
But this is just a duel!
The next instant, her consciousness faded completely.
"Dugu Feng, we surrender—quickly, save my sister!"
A flash of motion sliced through the air like lightning. A graceful figure landed on the stage and caught Zhu Zhuqing before she hit the ground.
Zhu Zhuyun's palms glowed with flowing soul power as she poured it into Zhu Zhuqing's body. She let out a sigh of relief—the poison wasn't as severe as it looked.
Of course, before stepping onto the stage to fight the Dugu heir, how could she not have taken an antidote pill?
Still, her sister hadn't held out for long.
"Huh?" Zhu Zhuyun's hands trembled slightly as she swayed, a sharp scent filling her nose. Her throat felt dry; dizziness swept through her mind.
When Dugu Feng had struck Zhu Zhuqing, he hadn't used his Twelve Jade Phosphor Fingers just once.
The toxin-infused energy from each clash with her claws had diffused into the air.
Now, the entire platform was under his control.
Though Zhu Zhuyun was two major ranks higher—a Soul Elder—the inhaled vapor had already seeped into her system. She felt her strength fading, her vision blurred.
"It was only a lesson," Dugu Feng said, flipping both hands. Two pea-sized green pellets dropped into Zhu Zhuyun's palm.
"These are antidote pills."
Relief flooded her features. She had panicked earlier after hearing him threaten that Zhu Zhuqing would melt into pus within moments—but she should have known better. The Dugu Clan wouldn't deliberately create new enemies.
The Black Tiger Sect had already been obliterated, and with the six families now allied and without internal conflict, the Dugu weren't fools enough to kill unnecessarily.
Reason restored, she swallowed one pill herself and placed the other carefully into Zhu Zhuqing's mouth.
Dugu Feng's smile deepened slightly. With a flicker of thought, the two "pills" sank into the sisters' bodies, merging seamlessly into their dantians.
Within seconds, the beads spun gently, absorbing all trace of their poisons.
What he had given them wasn't antidote—it was his energy beads.
He had long discovered that others could barely sense their presence, making them the perfect instruments of control.
Besides, nurturing the beads only through his own growth was far too slow.
Why not let others share the burden?
The Zhu sisters were both prodigies—their cultivation speed would feed his beads constantly.
A subtle, silent bond formed. Too convenient.
"Thank you, Dugu Feng," Zhu Zhuyun said sincerely, rising as she felt the poison leave her body.
Zhu Zhuqing also regained consciousness, still furious at being frightened. With an icy glare, she turned her face away without a word.
Zhu Zhuyun nodded to Dugu Feng before helping her sister down from the stage.
He chuckled quietly as they left.
When you find out what those 'antidote pills' really were, let's see if you still thank me. Haha—this will be interesting.
Leaving the arena with Little Snake, Dugu Feng learned that all remaining matches had ended without surprises.
The duels of the Six Great Families were officially over, and the final division of profits would soon be decided.
Once that was done, he would embark on his training journey.
"Oh, by the way, Young Master," Little Snake said hastily, "Old Snake asked me to tell you—he's been following the Dai and Zhu family soul masters these past days. They visited Shrek Academy and stopped by a shop in Suoto City owned by its headmaster, Flender."
Dugu Feng's lips curled. "Let's pay this Flender a visit."
They left the Grand Arena together and wandered through the bustling commercial streets of Suoto. Shops lined the avenues, filled with rare goods—particularly southern imports from the Star Luo Empire, whose climate differed starkly from Heaven Dou's northern chill.
Suoto, straddling both worlds, overflowed with exotic wares.
Thinking about his upcoming journey, Dugu Feng decided to restock—buying meat, clothing, and provisions in bulk before finally strolling into a small, old-fashioned shop.
Three of its walls were lined with relics and trinkets, while in the center a sturdy man reclined lazily in a wooden chair, rocking slightly as he rested with his eyes closed.
The man's face was angular yet flat, with a hooked nose and silver-rimmed spectacles—none other than Flender himself.
Dugu Feng's gaze swept across the room until he spotted it: a crystal the size of a human head hanging by the door—the very same rare gem Tang San would one day claim for himself.
Since he'd seen it first, he wasn't about to let Tang San have it.
Grabbing the crystal, he said casually, "Boss, how much for this?"
Flender opened his eyes at last. Somehow, he was already standing.
His sharp gaze flicked over Dugu Feng and Little Snake, a cautious frown forming.
"The Dugu clan's prodigy, isn't it?"
Forcing a smile, he replied, "Not expensive—ten gold soul coins."
Dugu Feng blinked. When Tang San and Xiao Wu had come here, Flender had demanded one hundred gold coins—and then kept raising the price to extort them.
But for him? Only ten.
So Flender judged his buyers?
Little Snake simply handed over the coins. Flender waved his hand, pocketing them smoothly.
"Dean Flender, you know who I am," Dugu Feng said with a grin.
Flender stiffened slightly. As Suoto City's wily local powerhouse and a frequent guest of the Grand Arena, there was little he didn't know.
He'd seen Dugu Feng's duels with his own eyes.
"The Dugu heir himself, visiting my humble shop—how could I not be honored?" Flender said, eyes flashing intelligently behind his lenses.
Indeed, Flender was far shrewder than he let on. His aloof, carefree image was just an act.
Dugu Feng realized keenly—this man was a fisherman, a master at crafting his own persona to lure opportunity.
"Dean Flender," he said lightly, "I hear the Dai Clan came to see you. I'd like to know their intentions."
At once, Flender's face hardened. Without a visible gesture, the door swung shut.
"There's no harm in telling you, Young Master Dugu," Flender replied. "While traveling the continent, I spent some time in Star Luo City and became acquainted with one of the Dai Clan elders.
One of their princes plans to enroll at Shrek Academy—they've asked me to train him carefully."
A proud smile tugged at his lips. "One of the teachers at Heaven Dou's Royal Academy is my disciple, after all. If the Dugu Clan wishes to collaborate with Shrek Academy, I'd be happy to oblige."
Dugu Feng almost laughed.
Flender, a self-proclaimed free spirit, clearly knew how to bow to power when needed. His so-called disdain for nobles was just marketing.
In truth, everything he did—the training, the gambles, the risks—was calculated. He wasn't nurturing students, but fame.
He'd gladly watch his pupils die if it meant one would rise high enough for him to be remembered.
Clever, ruthless, perfectly opportunistic.
Like a fisherman dangling bait.
And the Dai Clan? They'd already taken it.
History would prove him right—Flender's fishing line would indeed spread his name across the continent.
(END CHAPTER)
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