However, the uses of whale oil extended far beyond just procreation.
Dugu Feng had a sudden inspiration—this could serve as the perfect justification!
A reason to collect high-aged whale oil.
"Old Snake, I can't give you this one. Since you need it so badly, you can purchase it at auctions or acquire it from coastal cities. Have you forgotten why Huyan Lie came and went this time? Like Old Scorpion, he went to collect the half-year profits. We've obtained another unexpected windfall. Ideally, we should aim to buy ten-thousand-year whale oil!"
Why was the young master so fascinated with whale oil? A few-hundred-year-old variant was sufficient for most, while only those with extraordinary talents could handle a few-thousand-year-old one. He didn't even dare imagine a ten-thousand-year variant—wouldn't that lead to death by... overexertion?
"Old Snake, this is a matter of great importance. You must treat it as your top priority. Since whale oil has such effects, could it enhance physical constitution when combined with various medicinal herbs? Could it increase the probability of successful procreation? These are all worthy of family research. This concerns the very survival of our Dugu family!" Dugu Feng spoke with utmost seriousness.
"Young Master, you're truly a genius. However, I must remind you—you're still young. Focus your mind on cultivation. You must seize the golden years of a Soul Master's training. You are the hope of the Dugu family. Once you reach Titled Douluo status, you can play as much as you want!" Old Snake naturally didn't believe Dugu Feng's excuses. He simply thought the young master was too precocious, knowing far too much for his age.
Dugu Feng sighed inwardly. No one would understand his well-intentioned schemes.
The two traveled in silence for the remaining half-day until they returned to Dugu Mansion.
Within the smoke-filled ancestral hall, they found Dugu Shuo deep in meditation.
"Feng'er, you've returned!" A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Dugu Shuo's eyes.
Dugu Feng immediately understood what his nominal father was expecting. He instantly activated his Martial Soul Avatar, displaying his yellow Spirit Ring.
Old Snake recounted everything—how Dugu Feng had absorbed a six-hundred-year Jade Phosphorous Serpent Spirit Beast, along with the matters concerning Tuoba Lan and Huyan Lie.
"Absorbing a six-hundred-year Spirit Beast for your first Spirit Ring—this must be the benefit brought by your early poison outbreak. It tempered your body extensively, a blessing in disguise. However, the innate toxins from a six-hundred-year Jade Phosphorous Serpent are extremely potent. Resisting future poison outbreaks will undoubtedly be more painful!" Dugu Shuo analyzed thoughtfully.
This was the classic case of gains and losses—every advantage had its disadvantage.
"Father needn't worry. Last night's poison outbreak didn't reach my physical or mental limits. It won't cause significant harm to my body!" Dugu Feng quickly reassured.
Dugu Shuo and Old Snake exchanged surprised glances. They trusted Dugu Feng wouldn't lie about something so vital to his survival. Their eyes met again, this time filled with joy.
This development bought Dugu Feng precious growth time. Combined with his Innate Full Soul Power talent, his cultivation speed would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
"Feng'er, you will definitely become a Titled Douluo!" At this moment, Dugu Shuo became absolutely convinced that Dugu Feng represented the future of their family.
Overcome with emotion, he abruptly knelt before the ancestral tablets again. Following his lead, Dugu Feng and Old Snake also knelt.
This nominal father of his... his obsession ran too deep, always reporting to their ancestors at every turn.
Sure enough, after muttering for a while and kowtowing several times, Dugu Shuo finally calmed down.
Dugu Feng also took out the Soul Bone, which Dugu Shuo then received.
The moment this Soul Bone appeared, it brightened the smoke-filled ancestral hall slightly.
Dugu Shuo stared intently at the Soul Bone. From Old Snake's earlier description, he already knew it was a defensive skull bone.
"The energy fluctuations from this Soul Bone are incredibly strong—it's already reached the ten-thousand-year level!" Dugu Shuo's eyes burned with fervor.
With Dugu Feng's perspective, he naturally focused on hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones.
But for Dugu Shuo and Old Snake, they didn't have such an omniscient view.
A ten-thousand-year Soul Bone could already serve as a family's heirloom treasure.
"Feng'er, you absorb it. With the Soul Bone, you'll have stronger self-protection!" Dugu Shuo handed the bone back.
Dugu Feng naturally refused. Calmly, he said, "Father, Old Snake, listen to me about this Soul Bone. I have a theory—a way to resolve the flaw in our family's Martial Soul!"
"Speak!" Dugu Shuo was somewhat surprised.
"Soul Bones originate from Spirit Beasts and are exceptionally rare. During last night's battle, I noticed one of their traits: they're immune to poison.
After Xiahou Mang was poisoned, his entire body dissolved into pus—yet this Soul Bone remained radiant, completely unharmed.
I suspect that Soul Bones exist in a state between the tangible and the intangible. If we could channel the toxins in our bodies into the Soul Bone, wouldn't that free us from their torment?"
On the way back, Dugu Feng had already prepared this reasoning.
Moreover, it was perfectly logical, so he didn't have to worry about Dugu Shuo growing suspicious.
As for whether using a skull bone to bear toxins was suicidal?
At the very least, Dugu Bo had used a skull bone to contain his toxins—his Soul Bone came from the Snake Empress Medusa, also a skull bone.
Old Snake gasped in admiration. "The young master's insight is profound! To deduce this from Xiahou Mang's death—this old servant is in awe!" Whether it succeeded or not, he felt Dugu Feng was nothing short of a prodigy.
Dugu Shuo was also stunned, finding his son's theory highly plausible.
"Father, you should absorb this Soul Bone. My strength is still lacking, and I can endure the poison's torment for now.
If you absorb it and resolve the threat of the toxins, advancing your strength further, our family can thrive for generations!"
Dugu Feng urged. Of course, he wouldn't say he simply didn't care for this Soul Bone.
"Clan Leader, you should absorb it. The backlash from toxins at the Soul Saint stage is already severe. Moreover, your first four Spirit Rings were obtained from four poison-attribute Spirit Beasts—the Mixed Poison's power is terrifying. There will come a day when it erupts completely. No matter what, we must attempt to neutralize it.
The continent's situation is unstable. Even the Elephant Armor Sect has pledged allegiance to the Spirit Hall. Our family needs the Clan Leader's strength to break through once more!"
Old Snake also urged. Dugu Shuo, also a Soul Saint, lagged behind other faction leaders in Soul Power, relying entirely on his Poison Art to hold his ground.
Dugu Shuo glanced at Dugu Feng and saw only calm resolve.
Then he looked at Old Snake's hopeful expression.
His typically cold face finally showed emotion. "Very well. I'll absorb this Soul Bone. Let's see if Feng'er's theory holds!"
Dugu Shuo was decisive.
He immediately sat cross-legged.
And began using his spiritual power to activate the skull Soul Bone.
The yellow glow on the Soul Bone gradually connected to Dugu Shuo's head.
As the light from the skull continuously poured in, the entire bone transformed into a skull matching the size of Dugu Shuo's head.
Then, the Soul Bone slowly approached, turned into a phantom, and merged into Dugu Shuo's head.
Seeing this, Dugu Feng let out a sigh of relief.
The brief fluctuation of Soul Power from Dugu Shuo just now wasn't any stronger than that of Xiahou Mang or Tuoba Lan.
Although the poison of the Dugu family was feared, and the presence of Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, made outsiders assume the two were united, those within the family knew the truth.
The strongest in their family was only a Soul Saint—their cultivation was indeed somewhat lacking.
He could only hope that his cheap father, Dugu Shuo, could make further progress in strength!
(End of Chapter)