Yu Luomian thought to himself that he was currently at level 85, but it had taken him four years to advance from level 84 to 85.
From level 85 to 90, with the bottleneck at level 89, he had no idea how much longer it would take.
Frankly, he didn't hold much hope of breaking through to Titled Douluo.
"Tian Heng and Tian Xin don't need your guidance. If you have time, go see that daughter of yours and strengthen your bond with her.
The family needs a second Titled Douluo, and I believe she has a better chance of breaking through than you!"
Yu Yuanzhen spoke bluntly, without any courtesy.
Yu Luomian could only sense that his elder brother was in a particularly foul mood today and didn't dare argue. He quickly replied, "I've already been looking after her. She wants to establish an academy—if she needs resources, the family provides them; if she needs connections, the family arranges them. We've given her unconditional support!"
Only then did Yu Yuanzhen nod in satisfaction.
But in his heart, he was thinking back to seven years ago, when Bibi Dong ascended to the position of Pope.
At that time, he had sought out his son, Yu Xiaogang, to inquire about Bibi Dong's Martial Soul cultivation.
His son had only told him one thing: Bibi Dong possessed Twin Soul Spirits.
That alone was enough—no further explanation was needed.
The overwhelming pressure had already made Yu Yuanzhen feel the weight of it.
Now, after all these years, Bibi Dong had quickly consolidated her power, forcing veteran Spirit Hall elders like Yue Guan and Gui Mei to obediently submit to her authority. This had already proven his son's words true.
Recently, the Spirit Hall had been acting more and more aggressively.
They had even begun brazenly poaching talents from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
Though Xiaogang was a failure in Martial Soul cultivation, sending him into the Spirit Hall had indeed been the right move.
By leveraging the Spirit Hall's resources, he had proposed numerous Martial Soul theories, significantly elevating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's standing in the Soul Master world.
"Xiaogang, I'm growing more and more impressed with you. Just what is so special about that disciple of yours?
Tang San, Tang San…
With your discerning eye, an ordinary person would never have caught your attention.
And to possess Innate Full Soul Power with a Blue Silver Grass Soul Spirit?
The surname 'Tang'—now that's interesting!
Xiaogang, I hope it's as you say—that one day, you'll make your father look at you in a whole new light!"
Yu Yuanzhen's thoughts raced, and his spiritual perception shifted toward the Dugu Family's carriage.
If he could pull the Dugu Family into an alliance, the two families united would bring greater stability to his own clan.
This time, Dugu Shuo had poisoned Huyan Zhen to death, thoroughly offending the Spirit Hall.
Dugu Shuo, oh Dugu Shuo!
You have no idea just how formidable Bibi Dong is.
There will come a day when you beg for my help.
By then, if Tian Heng successfully courts Dugu Yan, how could the Dugu Family not become subordinate to us?
Yu Yuanzhen chuckled inwardly, his cunning plan playing out perfectly in his mind.
In the blink of an eye, the night passed.
The next morning.
After cultivating all night, Dugu Feng felt the energy within his Core Pearl surge by two points, reaching 88.
At this rate, wouldn't it take only six more days to reach full capacity?
Gathering Soul Power and energy was truly fast—and incredibly satisfying.
Dugu Feng took out some snake meat, Snake Gallbladder, and deep-fried scorpions, devouring them heartily before stepping out of the carriage.
There, he saw Ge Ying standing outside.
"Brother Ge, you've recovered! You have no idea how terrifying you looked yesterday. That damned Destruction Clan actually dared to poison you!"
Dugu Feng put on an indignant expression.
Ge Ying gave a helpless smile. Ge Long had already told him about yesterday's incident.
It was truly an undeserved calamity.
The Elephant Armor Sect and Sacred Dragon Sect had plotted against the Dugu Family, first framing Dugu Shuo by poisoning someone.
And he, Ge Ying, had become the victim.
But the Dugu Family turned the tables, directly annihilating the Elephant Armor Sect—such ruthlessness and strength.
After hearing his father's account, he had been utterly shocked for quite some time.
"I was just coming to thank Patriarch Dugu for saving me!" Ge Ying said with a laugh.
"Brother Ge, you're too polite. You're my teacher, after all! I'll still need your care at school in the future!"
Dugu Feng blinked playfully.
Ge Ying could only smile wryly. Did he really need his care?
The entire upper echelon of the Elephant Armor Sect, including its sect leader, had been wiped out. Once this news spread, who knew how much turmoil it would cause?
Even though Dugu Shuo denied it.
Everyone knew it was his doing.
The Dugu Family's fearsome reputation would once again sweep across the continent, just as it had years ago when Dugu Bo advanced to Titled Douluo.
He patted Dugu Feng's shoulder but said nothing more.
In his heart, he recalled his father's words: the Dugu Family must never be made an enemy.
Not only did they have a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo, but also ruthless figures like Dugu Shuo. And now, the younger generation, Dugu Feng, was beginning to grow.
Though the family was small in number, every member was formidable.
Ge Ying wholeheartedly agreed.
As the sun gradually rose, the caravan members filled their stomachs and set off again.
Next stop: Suotuo City.
They maintained a cautious pace, the incident with the Sacred Dragon Sect having put the entire caravan on high alert.
Two days later, they finally covered the remaining distance and approached Suotuo City.
Several kilometers from the city walls, the first thing that came into view was an endless stretch of military camps—garrisoned by at least a hundred thousand soldiers.
This alone spoke volumes about the city's strategic importance.
As they drew closer, Dugu Feng noticed that Suotuo City's walls were taller than those of any other major city he'd seen along the way.
This city was built to defend against the Star Luo Empire!
Once inside, the three carriages headed straight for the tallest structure in the city.
Nearly a hundred meters high and entirely white, it exuded solemn grandeur.
Peering through the carriage curtains at the Great Soul Arena of Suotuo City, Dugu Feng felt an odd sensation.
Technically, his family was one of the hidden owners behind the Great Soul Arena, yet this was his first time visiting.
"The Suotuo City Great Soul Arena is one of the largest on the continent.
It has one main Soul Duel arena, twenty-four auxiliary arenas, seating for sixty thousand spectators, and over a hundred VIP boxes. The money earned here daily is astronomical!"
Old Snake's eyes gleamed with gold, as if he already considered the Great Soul Arena part of their family.
Old Scorpion and the other Soul Masters also broke into smiles.
"We can't let the Spirit Hall take the profits the Clear Sky Sect vacated!"
Dugu Feng's eyes similarly sparkled with greed.
Before, he hadn't thought much of it—if the Spirit Hall took it, so be it.
But now, with the Great Soul Arena right before his eyes.
He felt the sting of loss.
That's mine, that's mine!
Think of all the Whale Oil that money could buy!
Moreover, the family needed funds to train so many Soul Masters—to produce Antidote Pills against poison outbreaks, to research Martial Souls, to secretly nurture Nine Heavens Centipede Soul Masters. Even wealthy families had tight budgets!
After the carriages stopped, the group entered with familiar ease.
They bypassed the Soul Duel areas meant for Soul Masters and went straight to the topmost floor of the Great Soul Arena.
The top level of the Great Soul Arena was the exclusive territory of the six great families, serving as both their residential area and viewing platform.
From there, they had an unobstructed view of the twenty-five Soul Duel Arenas below, along with the massive spectator seating.
Watching so many guests gambling, placing bets, and engaging in Soul Duels from above gave one the distinct feeling of being a mastermind behind the scenes.
During its construction, this design must have been filled with both twisted amusement and a sense of accomplishment.
(End of Chapter)