Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were dazed—was he really this ruthless? Did he intend to kill her?
But this was just a Soul Duel!
The next moment, she completely lost consciousness.
"Dugu Feng, we concede! Quickly give my sister the antidote!"
A figure swift as lightning landed on the stage like a phantom, catching Zhu Zhuqing.
Channeling Soul Power into Zhu Zhuqing's body, Zhu Zhuyun let out a sigh of relief—the poison wasn't that potent yet.
How could her sister have gone into a Soul Duel against Dugu Feng without taking an Antidote Pill beforehand?
Yet, her sister still couldn't withstand the toxin.
"Huh?" Zhu Zhuyun's hands trembled slightly, and she jerked her head as a wave of intense foulness assaulted her senses.
Her throat grew dry, and her mind spun.
When Dugu Feng had repelled Zhu Zhuqing earlier, he hadn't just used the Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers once.
The Soul Power toxins from the Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers had dispersed into the air after clashing with Zhu Zhuqing's claws.
It could be said that the entire Soul Duel Stage was now under Dugu Feng's control.
Though Zhu Zhuyun was a Soul Expert, two major realms above Dugu Feng, she had still inhaled the poison and was now affected.
She felt weak all over, her vision swimming.
"I was just teaching her a lesson. Did you really think I'd kill her?"
Dugu Feng flicked his fingers, and two pea-sized green pellets landed in Zhu Zhuyun's palm.
"These are Antidote Pills!"
Zhu Zhuyun's expression cleared—she had panicked earlier out of concern. The moment she heard Dugu Feng say Zhu Zhuqing would "turn to pus within moments," she had rushed onto the stage.
But thinking rationally, why would the Dugu Family make enemies so recklessly?
The Hei Mo Sect had already been decisively crushed, and with no more conflicts of interest among the remaining five great families, it wasn't as if Dugu Feng was a fool—why would he resort to killing?
With that in mind, Zhu Zhuyun swallowed one pill herself and pushed the other into Zhu Zhuqing's mouth.
Dugu Feng willed it, and the two Core Pearls sank into the Dantians of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
As they rotated, they absorbed all the toxins from the sisters' bodies.
What I gave you wasn't any antidote—it was my Core Pearls.
He had long discovered the unique nature of the Core Pearls—others could hardly sense their presence.
Wasn't this the perfect means of control?
Moreover, evolving the Core Pearls by nurturing them alone would be far too slow.
He needed more people to help him.
The Zhu sisters were talented—their strength would grow quickly.
This hidden move was a win on multiple fronts.
"Thank you, Dugu Feng."
With the toxins absorbed by the Core Pearls, Zhu Zhuyun had already recovered. She calmly expressed her gratitude.
Zhu Zhuqing also regained consciousness, inwardly fuming at how Dugu Feng had frightened her earlier. Her icy expression twisted to the side in displeasure.
Zhu Zhuyun nodded and led Zhu Zhuqing off the stage.
Dugu Feng revealed a peculiar smile.
When you find out later that the "Antidote Pills" were actually my Core Pearls, will you still thank me? Haha, this is too amusing.
Dugu Feng stepped down from the stage and left the Soul Duel Stage with Little Snake, who had been waiting for him.
Little Snake also informed him that the other Soul Duels had gone smoothly.
The Soul Duels among the six great families had officially concluded.
The final distribution of benefits was about to be decided.
All he had to do now was wait for this matter to conclude before setting off on his journey.
"By the way, Young Master, Old Snake asked me to tell you that he's been tailing the Soul Masters from the Dai and Zhu Families these past few days. They visited Shrek Academy and also a shop opened by Flender, the academy's dean, in Suotuo City!" Little Snake suddenly reported.
Dugu Feng smiled faintly. "Let's go take a look at Flender's shop."
Little Snake quickly followed.
The two walked straight out of the Great Soul Arena.
The streets were lined with dazzling shops, the most distinctive being those selling specialties from the Star Luo Empire.
Heaven Dou was a northern nation, while Star Luo was southern—their climates were entirely different, making the contrast especially striking in this border city of Suotuo.
Dugu Feng thought of his upcoming journey.
Might as well shop along the way.
He bought everything from meat to clothing until his hands were full.
Finally, he leisurely entered a shop where three walls were hung with aged items.
In the center of the shop, a burly man reclined on a wooden lounge chair, eyes closed, swaying gently with the chair's motion.
The man had a flat face, wore black-framed crystal glasses, and had a slightly hooked nose—none other than Flender himself.
Dugu Feng scanned the room and immediately spotted a crystal the size of a human head hanging near the door. This must be the very Rutilated Quartz that Tang San had snatched in the original timeline.
Now that he'd found it, he couldn't leave it for Tang San.
Dugu Feng picked it up directly. "Shopkeeper, how much for this crystal?"
When he looked over, Flender had already stood up at some point.
Flender stood there solemnly, scrutinizing Dugu Feng and Little Snake with a trace of surprise in his expression.
Was this the infamous prodigy of the Dugu Family?
"Not expensive—ten Gold Soul Coins!" Flender stated bluntly.
Dugu Feng was taken aback. When Tang San and Xiao Wu had come, Flender had demanded a hundred Gold Soul Coins and then kept raising the price to swindle them.
Yet for him, it was only ten.
Did Flender adjust his prices based on the customer?
Little Snake promptly handed over ten Gold Soul Coins.
Flender waved his hand and pocketed the coins.
"Dean Flender, you recognize me," Dugu Feng said with a faint smile.
Flender stiffened slightly. As a local power in Suotuo City and a frequent visitor to the Great Soul Arena, how could he not know about the recent Soul Duels? Moreover, having traveled extensively, he was well aware of the forces behind the Great Soul Arena.
"Young Master Dugu, it's an honor to have you visit my humble shop!" Flender's eyes gleamed shrewdly.
So, Flender was indeed a calculating man. That aloof, anti-nobility persona was just a façade.
Dugu Feng suddenly had the feeling that Flender was also a master of deception—skilled at packaging himself.
"Dean Flender, I heard the Dai Family came to see you. I'd like to know their purpose."
Dugu Feng's expression remained calm, his gaze fixed intently on Flender.
Flender's face paled. Without any visible movement, the shop's door swung shut.
"I suppose there's no harm in telling Young Master Dugu. During my travels across the continent, I once visited Star Luo City and formed a connection with an elder of the Dai Family.
A young prince of the Dai Family intends to enroll at Shrek Academy and has asked me to nurture him carefully!"
Flender spoke with a hint of pride. "Even one of the teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy was my disciple. If Young Master Dugu is interested in collaborating with Shrek Academy, that can also be arranged!"
Flender came from humble origins. If he truly didn't want to cooperate with major powers, he wouldn't have formed the Golden Iron Triangle with Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong.
Moreover, his methods of training students clearly showed his aim was to make a name for himself.
He completely disregarded student casualties.
His sole purpose was to nurture students who would shake the world, thereby boosting his own reputation.
It must be said that Flender was quite clever—and ruthless.
He knew how to craft an image and package himself, like Jiang Taigang fishing with a straight hook. And sure enough, the Dai Family took the bait.
What's more, Flender truly managed to make himself famous across the land using this very method.
(End of Chapter)