Chapter 54: The Deterrence of the Dugu Family
At the same time, in Heaven Dou City.
Within the Dugu Manor.
Old Scorpion walked into the ancestral hall, anxiety clouding his face. There, he saw Dugu Shuo seated cross-legged in cultivation.
More than a year had passed, yet Dugu Shuo had changed little—if anything, his hair had grown even greener.
"Old Scorpion, why have you returned alone? Where is Feng'er?"
Sensing his presence, Dugu Shuo immediately stood up.
"Patriarch, after we parted in Soto City, I led the Young Master northward to the extreme north. About four months ago, he successfully absorbed the soul ring of the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, and unexpectedly obtained an external soul bone…"
Old Scorpion began recounting everything in detail.
At first, Dugu Shuo looked worried; then, his expression turned to delight. But soon, it stiffened into shock.
"What? A place filled with endless killing? That must be the City of Slaughter!"
He could no longer maintain his composure. With the Dugu family's legacy, he naturally knew of that forbidden place.
A land steeped in madness, rumored to be a divine domain left behind by a powerful being who had ascended.
Anyone who entered would be corrupted by bloodlust, and legend said that one who passed that being's trial could inherit his divine power.
Many major powers had sent daring souls to attempt it, but none ever returned alive.
Old Scorpion sighed. "The Young Master's external soul bone is incredibly powerful. I intended to let him undergo some tempered training, but once he understood what kind of place it was, he insisted it must hold great opportunity—and chose to enter."
"There may be opportunity, but it's also certain death," Dugu Shuo frowned.
In his eyes, Dugu Feng—nurtured personally since childhood—carried the family's hope to restore the reputation of the poison arts. But charging into such a place so recklessly...
"Patriarch, the Young Master is immensely strong. Before entering that slaughter town, he even slew a Soul King-level master with poison alone. His two Nine-Segment Jade Snakes fight alongside him as extensions of himself."
Old Scorpion quickly added every detail of Dugu Feng's achievements.
Yet hearing this, Dugu Shuo's heart grew even heavier.
If Feng'er were truly lost in there, the Dugu family's loss would be immeasurable.
But soon, a flicker of calculation crossed his eyes. "Feng'er was born with incredible fortune. Even poison outbreaks at age four couldn't take his life. He won't die easily. Perhaps this truly is his destined chance. Blessing or curse, who can say?"
He paused, then added, "Recently, my second uncle was severely injured by Chrysanthemum Douluo of the Spirit Hall near the Sunset Forest. If not for the battle drawing the attention of two titled elders from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the results might've been disastrous."
Old Scorpion's eyes widened. Even though the two branches of the family bore hatred toward each other, Dugu Bo's existence had always kept many enemies at bay.
"Afterward, my second uncle claimed it was just a friendly sparring encounter. But both you and I know the Spirit Hall's moves always carry murderous intent.
Feng'er venturing into that place might actually help him avoid the brewing storm in Heaven Dou City."
Old Scorpion's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean the last warning wasn't enough? Should we make another move to remind them?"
His tone was sharp and venomous; the Dugu family did not tolerate insults.
"No rush. As long as my second uncle remains, they won't dare strike directly at us," Dugu Shuo replied coldly.
Since the last incident, Dugu Bo had become much more discreet, concealing his movements well.
Their enemies, wary of provoking him, had also grown cautious.
Emperor Xue Ye's slow-acting poison still corroded him, aging his body gradually, but since it hadn't worsened, it meant the Spirit Hall had not yet planned its final move—giving the family precious time.
Dugu Shuo glanced disdainfully at his deep green hair.
Ever since obtaining his soul bone, the poison within him had eased significantly. Combined with his medicinal training, he could suppress the toxic outbreaks and had even advanced another level—to rank seventy-seven.
Yet outwardly, he still pretended the poison was worsening.
He knew full well that Dugu Bo bore grudges toward his branch, and with Dugu Xin dead while he still lived, that resentment only deepened.
Dugu Bo was ruthless—none knew that better than Dugu Shuo.
"Second Uncle, Feng'er's tenacity will change the fate of the poison bloodline. Your serpent branch has no future," Dugu Shuo thought darkly.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, inside the East Palace.
In the study, Qian Renxue—disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe—sat tapping the table lightly.
"Your Highness, the Spirit Hall's investigation has yet to identify the murderer responsible for the one hundred thirty-eight deaths from the Elephant Armored Sect," reported an elder standing behind her.
The man, of average build and unremarkable features, was the Porcupinefish Douluo assigned to protect her in Heaven Dou City.
Qian Renxue smiled faintly. "Still investigating? Hu Yanzhen was poisoned to death by Dugu Shuo on the road, and soon after, every man, woman, and child of the Elephant Armored Sect mysteriously died. Who else but the Dugu family could manage that?
And don't tell me the soul masters responsible can't be traced even now."
It had been a major event a year ago—one that had shaken the entire soul master world.
Aside from fourteen members who had gone to Soto City, the Elephant Armored Sect still had within its grounds a Soul Sage, several Soul Emperors, and numerous lesser soul masters.
Yet overnight, all were erased.
Everyone who knew the truth suspected the Dugu family, but that very day, Dugu Shuo and two clan experts had attended a banquet in Heaven Dou City—days away from the Elephant Armored Sect's territory.
Thus, suspicion lacked proof.
Even so, Qian Renxue was convinced that it had been their doing.
But after a year, no solid evidence had surfaced.
"I've kept watch with Xie Long, but we've seen no outsiders approach the Dugu family. Dugu Shuo's son, Dugu Feng, has been missing for over a year. Not a trace of him in the soul master world," said the Porcupinefish Douluo apologetically.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly—she suddenly recalled having given Dugu Feng a prince's command token, pitying such a young prodigy she had assumed would die.
It turned out she had underestimated that clan.
"And Dugu Bo? Any word of him?"
The Douluo shook his head in shame.
"Very well. Halt all operations for now. It's not the time to strike. We must continue to strengthen ourselves," she said calmly.
According to her plan, her strength had to reach at least Soul Douluo level, to absorb three inherited soul bones and gradually rise to Title Douluo rank.
Only then would she mobilize both military and soul master powers to seize the Heaven Dou throne.
For now, moving prematurely would draw the attention of Ning Fengzhi, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Wind Sword Sect.
"Let them live a little longer. Once my strength rises… no one will stop me from unifying the continent," Qian Renxue said firmly.
(END CHAPTER)
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