Chapter 274: The Ruthless Dugu Feng
The surrounding clansmen struck by the giant crossbows suffered deadly wounds.
The impact of the bolts, the shouts of the Four Single-Attribute Clan soul masters, and the screams of the wounded blended together.
Blood splattered wildly.
After the first volley, several soul masters were impaled straight through, nailed against the mansion wall behind them.
To the soul masters of the Four Single-Attribute Clans, such a massacre was a pain they hadn't felt in decades.
But it wasn't over.
The crossbows were fired and reloaded in three synchronized lines of heavy infantry.
After the first round, the second and third immediately followed.
"Ahhh!"
Tai Tan roared into the sky, his soul rings flashing as his body enlarged.
His arms stretched nearly two meters long.
He stood as a human shield in front of his people.
Beside him, Niu Gao pressed forward—renowned for defense, he now brought his strength to its peak.
Behind them, Bai He's wings of spirit energy flared open, darting around like lightning, knocking down the crossbows with swift strikes.
Even so, three more soul masters fell.
The front of the mansion collapsed under the intense bombardment—deadly proof of the power of those siege weapons.
Then came the heavy infantry, marching in neat formation, wielding three-meter-long halberds, advancing step by step.
Their murderous aura radiated the Tiandou Empire's fearsome military strength.
Even facing soul masters, not a single soldier showed fear—they believed in the power of unity.
Qian Renxue inwardly rejoiced. Her earlier subtle smile had provoked Prince Xue Xing perfectly.
He had misunderstood—and acted.
Now, with blood spilled, her position became unshakable. The Haotian Sect would never side with the prince again.
Prince Xue Xing smirked coldly. "This is the price of opposing me."
Who cared about explanations? Once everyone was captured, all truths would be revealed.
"Stop!"
A thunderous voice echoed from the sky. A massive cyan dragon descended, landing between the heavy infantry and the Strength Clan's gate.
Blocking their path completely.
The dragon transformed, revealing a man in blue heavy armor—regal and imposing.
All soldiers recognized him instantly—the imperial marshal, Ge Long.
"All heavy infantry, withdraw and return to camp!" Ge Long ordered sharply.
He should've arrived earlier, but Dugu Feng had merely strolled along, delaying them by a minute.
That minute had been enough for three volleys—and bloodshed.
"Granduncle," Dugu Feng's calm voice came as he arrived beside Dugu Bo. "When I came, I saw Fourth Prince collapsed—his face purple. He's been poisoned! You must hurry!"
Both Dugu Bo and Prince Xue Xing turned livid.
"Dugu Feng, what did you do!" Dugu Bo roared.
Prince Xue Xing's eyes flared with fury.
This was a threat—a direct provocation.
"Ah, I did nothing. When I noticed his poisoning, I ran here for help. If we delay another moment, even gods won't save him.
Prince, Granduncle, hurry and save him—there's still time!"
Dugu Feng's expression was innocent, his voice sincere. But Prince Xue Xing trembled with rage. He turned to Qian Renxue.
"You cruel wretch! That's your only brother!"
Qian Renxue's heart swelled with satisfaction—Dugu Feng had struck cleanly and mercilessly.
"Uncle, the only one who can save my brother is His Excellency the Jade Phosphorus Crown. Please, there's no time to waste—act now!" Qian Renxue pleaded, playing along.
Dugu Feng stepped closer to Prince Xue Xing and Dugu Bo, whispering, "Granduncle, don't even think of attacking me. I have the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. If you act rashly, even you'll fail—and things will only end tragically.
By then, both the prince and that Fourth Prince will be at my mercy."
Dugu Bo's pupils narrowed, turning green.
Every encounter with Dugu Feng left him astonished.
The first time at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Feng's strange herb had made him powerless.
Now, his grandnephew stood as a Soul Emperor.
He couldn't help but feel a chill crawl through him.
Prince Xue Xing froze too.
Dugu Feng dared speak so bluntly to Dugu Bo—and Dugu Bo's silence proved him right.
Everyone said Dugu Clan had birthed a prodigy destined for Titled Douluo. He had agreed—but he'd always admired the boy.
Once, in this very place, he and Dugu Feng had cornered the Strength Clan, forcing Yang Wudi to kill his kin, Yang Wushuang.
Even then, Dugu Feng's decisiveness stunned him.
Now, that same decisiveness stood against him—and its pressure was suffocating.
"Go save Xue Beng first!" Dugu Bo muttered darkly.
He had seen Dugu Feng's ruthlessness—this boy's will in cultivation was bordering madness.
Life or death meant nothing to him.
If they lingered, Xue Beng truly might die.
Prince Xue Xing looked around. Behind him, the heavy infantry was already retreating under Ge Long's order.
Even the empire's loyal marshal had been swayed by this boy—surely not a coincidence, for he and Dugu Feng had arrived together.
And Dugu Bo, even he was cornered.
A total defeat! Prince Xue Xing sighed inwardly.
"Young heroes indeed. Back when we surrounded Yang Wushuang, I already knew you were extraordinary. But I didn't expect you'd grow to command an empire's fate so soon.
The Tiandou Empire is proud to have a genius like you. May you become its pillar."
He patted Dugu Feng's shoulder, cast Qian Renxue a cold look, and turned to leave.
He understood—defeated, completely and utterly.
Not by Xue Qinghe, but by this monster from the Dugu Clan.
"Rest assured, with me here, no one will harm you or Xue Beng," Dugu Bo sighed as he followed.
With things spiraling like this, no one could stop the Crown Prince now.
His only worry—would she wipe them out afterward?
The two departed amid the royal guards, their figures heavy with resignation.
Qian Renxue could barely hide her excitement as she and Dugu Feng stepped toward the Strength Clan's front gate.
Around them lay cries of pain and nearly ten corpses.
Dugu Feng smiled coldly—this was his doing.
Yang Wudi's poison attack was no accident—he had sent a trace of Tyrant Poison through the Emerald Dragon Snake to trigger it.
Even Tang Hao or Bibi Dong could not detect his serpent's touch, much less Yang Wudi.
The delay nearly destroyed the Four Elemental Clans.
Then he and Ge Long appeared like saviors.
They would remember this favor well.
And when the time came to sell them out, he would make it count.
(END CHAPTER)
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