Dugu Feng thought to himself that Flender still had some use.
In the future, Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and Tang Hao would all come here.
This involved two major factions—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and the Clear Sky Sect.
If he wanted to become the Poison King and strengthen his family's power, he would inevitably clash with these two forces sooner or later.
In that case, he might as well plant a seed of trouble now!
Moreover, the moment Flender saw him arrive, he immediately tried to draw the Dugu Family into cooperation.
It had to be said that Flender was someone who knew how to seize every opportunity.
Perfectly aligned with his own intentions!
Dugu Feng smiled faintly. "Little Snake, give Dean Flender a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
Both Little Snake and Flender were stunned.
But Little Snake was obedient and didn't hesitate to take out the money.
Flender's cunning eyes darted around, flickering with greed.
He wanted to take the money but wasn't sure what Dugu Feng intended.
Hastily, he looked at Dugu Feng with a questioning gaze.
"Dean Flender, take it. You don't have the right to refuse!"
"Cooperation is inevitable, but not now. Someone will come to you later!"
Dugu Feng spoke coldly.
Flender's mind raced—had he been marked by the Dugu Family?
Considering Dugu Feng's earlier inquiries about the Dai Family, this must involve conflicts between major factions.
He gritted his teeth. He wasn't some inexperienced fool.
Zhao Wuji had offended the Spirit Hall and was still alive and well, and the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was still his brother.
Only an idiot would refuse money.
Flender clenched his teeth and snatched the bag of Gold Soul Coins with hands like eagle talons.
"Hahaha, Dean Flender has quite the courage. We'll meet again when the opportunity arises."
After speaking, Dugu Feng left the shop with Little Snake without another word.
My money isn't so easy to take, Flender!
Watching Dugu Feng's retreating figure, Flender felt a shadow pass over his heart.
The Dugu Family's reputation wasn't exactly stellar—he felt as if he'd been targeted by a venomous snake.
He had watched several of Dugu Feng's Soul Duels in the Great Soul Arena. Despite his youth, the boy was ruthless.
Though his Shrek Academy had Soul Saints and Soul Emperors, compared to the Dugu Family's strength, they were like ants facing an elephant.
"Since they've come knocking, I had no choice but to take the money. Let's just hope it's nothing too troublesome!"
Flender put on a tough front. Having risen from poverty to mingling with major factions, he wasn't one to back down from trouble.
At the same time, he felt a hint of pride—being noticed by the Dugu Family was an honor in itself.
After all, they were one of the families controlling the Great Soul Arena, with a Titled Douluo like the Jade Phosphorous Douluo among their ranks.
Dugu Feng spent two more days wandering around Suotuo City before receiving Old Scorpion's message—it was time to leave.
At present, neither Ning Rongrong nor Dai Mubai had arrived in Suotuo City, and even Tang San and Xiao Wu were still training at Notting Academy.
It was all rather dull.
Without hesitation, the two of them donned tight black outfits one night and slipped out through the northern gate, vanishing into the darkness.
Meanwhile, in the most luxurious suite atop the Great Soul Arena...
Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing, the two sisters, lay sprawled across a lavish bed in revealing sleepwear, their postures somewhat improper.
Pressed close together, they were engaged in an intimate conversation.
"Sister, do I really have to come to this Shrek Academy in Suotuo City in the future?"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned, her tone laced with dissatisfaction.
Zhu Zhuyun sighed helplessly. "Father never agreed to your engagement with Dai Mubai in the first place, but there was no way to resist the higher authority. Dai Mubai is six years younger than the eldest prince—he doesn't stand a chance at all.
"Betrothing you to him is just pushing you into a pit of fire.
"But what's done is done. Your only chance of survival now lies with the Heaven Dou Empire.
"If you can distinguish yourselves with merit, that would be ideal. Even if you don't, just stay in Heaven Dou and never return!"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression darkened. "Just because the Dai Family has a Titled Douluo, our family has to obey without question. If only our family had a Titled Douluo..."
Zhu Zhuyun glanced around nervously—this foolish sister of hers really dared to say anything.
"The power of a Titled Douluo is beyond our imagination!
"Zhuqing, isn't your dream to become a female Titled Douluo?
"Hehe, if you ever become one, the Zhu Family's standing on the continent would be completely different!
"Just look at the Dugu Family—why are they so arrogant, looking down on everyone? Poison is one reason, but the Jade Phosphorous Douluo is another!"
Zhu Zhuyun suddenly laughed.
She was the biggest beneficiary of the royal marriage alliance, but as a Soul Master, who wouldn't want to become a Titled Douluo?
The status of a Titled Douluo far surpassed that of an empress or crown princess.
"I understand now. I will become a female Titled Douluo—I must start training!" Zhu Zhuqing suddenly straightened with determination.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuyun joined her sister in cultivation.
The room fell into silence.
Meanwhile, several kilometers outside Suotuo City, a cold night wind swept across the pitch-black wilderness.
Amidst the swaying treetops,
Dugu Feng lay on a branch, silently cultivating, when suddenly, his mind stirred.
The Zhu sisters had resumed their training.
"Not bad, not bad. These two sisters are practically workaholics—training over twelve hours a day. Given the limits of their meridians, this is already their maximum capacity!"
"No, this won't do. Twelve hours means they're still wasting another twelve.
"Core Pearl, give them a little incentive—adjust their meridians to endure thirteen hours of training. Within a year, gradually increase their meridian endurance to eighteen hours.
"Aside from necessary meals and rest, they must spend every other moment cultivating. How can workers afford to waste time?
"My Core Pearl needs to evolve quickly!"
Dugu Feng then glanced at the two Nine-Section Jadeites coiled around his wrist.
The snakes blinked their eyes innocently. "We haven't been slacking!"
Dugu Feng smiled in satisfaction.
Inside the luxurious private box of the Great Soul Arena, Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing were completely immersed in their cultivation.
All the while, the Core Pearl silently absorbed the Soul Power they generated—so slowly that they remained completely unaware.
Then, a faint surge of warmth seeped from the Core Pearl, merging into their Soul Power.
As their energy circulated, it integrated into their meridians.
Zhu Zhuqing only felt her Soul Power flowing more smoothly than ever.
Currently, she was a one-ring Soul Master with sixteen levels of Soul Power.
Her cultivation speed was already impressive, but remembering how she had been effortlessly defeated by Dugu Feng days ago, she felt an overwhelming drive to train.
Steeling her resolve, she channeled her Soul Power through every meridian.
The sensation of growing stronger made her lose all track of time.
She only stopped when she felt a slight numbness in her meridians.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her sister, who was still immersed in cultivation.
Her eyes narrowed slightly—it was just the
sunlight streaming through the window, a bit too bright.
"How long have I been cultivating? It's already broad daylight!"
Perhaps spurred by some stimulation, she had been too engrossed in her training.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't dwell on it further.