At the same time, in Heaven Dou City.
Dugu Mansion.
Old Scorpion arrived at the ancestral hall with a heavy heart and immediately spotted Dugu Shuo, who was seated in meditation.
Over a year had passed, yet Dugu Shuo hadn't changed much—except that his hair had grown even greener.
"Old Scorpion, why have you returned alone? Where is Feng?"
The moment Dugu Shuo sensed Old Scorpion's presence, he stood up abruptly.
"Clan Leader, after parting ways in Suotuo City, I took the young master north toward the extreme cold lands. About four months ago, he successfully absorbed the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Soul Ring and, by chance, also obtained an External Soul Bone..."
Old Scorpion recounted the events one by one.
Dugu Shuo's expression shifted from concern to excitement.
But in the end, his face darkened completely. "What? A place filled with slaughter? That must be Slaughter City!"
Dugu Shuo could no longer remain calm. Given the Dugu Family's heritage, he naturally knew of Slaughter City.
That place was shrouded in strangeness—rumored to be a domain left behind by a powerful figure after attaining godhood.
Anyone who entered would be affected by its killing intent.
There were even legends that those who could pass the trials left by that mighty figure would inherit his legacy.
This had occasionally tempted major factions to send fearless individuals to attempt it, but none who entered had ever returned.
Old Scorpion sighed. "The young master's External Soul Bone is incredibly powerful. My original intention was to take him there for training, but after learning about the place, the young master insisted that it held great opportunity and was determined to enter!"
"There may indeed be opportunity there, but the danger is far greater!" Dugu Shuo frowned.
In his eyes, Dugu Feng, raised under his guidance, harbored a deep obsession with becoming a powerhouse and restoring the glory of the Poison Cultivation Lineage. But recklessness was unacceptable!
"Clan Leader, the young master is exceptionally strong. Before entering that Slaughter Town, he even managed to kill a Soul Master at the Soul Ancestor level using his toxins. Moreover, his two Nine-Section Jadeites can serve as his allies..."
Old Scorpion hurriedly recounted Dugu Feng's feats along the journey.
Instead of easing his worries, Dugu Shuo grew even more distressed.
If Feng were to be trapped inside, the loss to the Dugu Family would be immeasurable.
But soon, a glint flashed in Dugu Shuo's eyes. "Feng has always been tough. Even a poison outbreak at four years old couldn't take his life. He won't die so easily. Perhaps this truly is his destined opportunity—who can say whether it's fortune or misfortune?"
"Not long ago, my second uncle was severely injured by the Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum Douluo near the Sunset Forest. Had the commotion from their battle not alerted the two Titled Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in the city, the outcome would have been uncertain!"
Old Scorpion's eyes widened. Though the two lineages of the family were at odds and held grudges, Dugu Bo's existence had indeed deterred many of the family's enemies.
"Afterward, my second uncle claimed it was merely a chance encounter that led to a spontaneous spar. But you and I both know the Spirit Hall's covert maneuvers—there was undoubtedly murderous intent behind it."
"Perhaps Feng's departure to that place has spared him from the turmoil brewing in Heaven Dou City!" Dugu Shuo continued.
Old Scorpion seemed to recall something. "Was our last show of deterrence insufficient? Should we take action?"
His expression turned ruthless—the Dugu Family was not one to be bullied.
"There's no rush. Before dealing with my second uncle, they wouldn't dare make any overt moves against our family!"
Dugu Shuo gave a cold smile.
From what he knew, Dugu Bo had become much more secretive in his movements since the last incident.
It seemed the other side was also wary of alerting the enemy, as no further actions had been taken.
The slow-acting poison in Xue Ye's system remained, causing his body to gradually deteriorate. But as long as the condition didn't worsen, it meant the other side wasn't ready to act yet—buying them more time.
Dugu Shuo glanced at his deep green hair and sneered inwardly.
Since obtaining the Soul Bone, although it couldn't completely resolve his toxin issues, combined with the medicine he'd been refining, it had significantly alleviated the venom's effects.
This allowed his cultivation to advance another level, reaching rank 77.
Outwardly, however, he maintained the appearance of his condition worsening.
Dugu Shuo knew full well that Dugu Bo harbored resentment toward his lineage. After all, Dugu Xin was dead, yet he himself still lived.
No one understood better than him how ruthless Dugu Bo could be.
"Second Uncle, Feng'er's fate is unbreakable. He will surely change the future of our Poison Cultivation Lineage. As for your Serpent Cultivation Lineage—it has no future!" Dugu Shuo thought with a cold laugh.
Inside the palace, the Crown Prince's residence.
Study.
Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, leaned back in her chair, lightly tapping the desk.
"Young Master, there's still no news from Spirit City regarding the murderer who slaughtered the 138 members of the Elephant Armor Sect."
Behind Qian Renxue stood an elderly man of average height and build, entirely unremarkable in appearance, speaking in a low voice.
This old man was none other than the Pufferfish Douluo, left in Heaven Dou City to protect Qian Renxue.
"Is there still a need to investigate? Huyan Zhen was poisoned by Dugu Shuo on the road, followed by the bizarre deaths of every single member of his clan, young and old alike?
Who else could it be but the Dugu Family?
And after all this time, haven't they found any trace of the Soul Masters responsible?"
Qian Renxue's tone was mocking.
This had been a major incident a year ago that shook the entire Soul Master world.
Apart from the fourteen members who had gone to Suotuo City, the Elephant Armor Sect's remaining forces—including one Soul Saint, several Soul Emperors, and numerous lower-ranked Soul Masters—had been completely wiped out overnight.
Everyone who knew the inside story suspected the Dugu Family.
Yet, on that very day, Dugu Shuo and two other powerful members of his family had attended a banquet in Heaven Dou City.
Given that Heaven Dou City was at least several days' journey from the Elephant Armor Sect's stronghold, this alibi cleared the Dugu Family of suspicion.
Even so, Qian Renxue remained convinced it was the work of the Dugu Family's hidden forces.
But after nearly a year, not a single clue had been found.
"Both She Long and I have been monitoring the Dugu Family. We've never seen any unfamiliar Soul Masters around. Dugu Shuo's son, Dugu Feng, has also been missing for over a year now—he hasn't appeared anywhere in the Soul Master world."
Pufferfish Douluo sounded somewhat ashamed.
Qian Renxue suddenly remembered—she had even given Dugu Feng a Crown Prince Token back then!
At the time, she'd lamented that such a talented youth was about to be killed.
Now it seemed she had underestimated this family far too much.
"Any recent movements from Dugu Bo?" Qian Renxue asked again.
This time, Pufferfish Douluo looked even more ashamed and simply shook his head.
"In that case, halt all operations for now. It's not yet time to act—we still need to continue strengthening our forces."
Qian Renxue's voice was calm and composed.
According to her plan, she needed to at least reach the level of a Soul Douluo or higher, absorb three inherited Soul Bones, and gradually attain the strength of a Titled Douluo.
Only then, after gaining control over the military and most forces in the Soul Master world, would she fully launch her scheme to inherit the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire.
It was still too early—she couldn't afford to draw the attention of Ning Fengzhi, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, or the Wind Sword Sect.
"Just live a little longer. Once my strength grows, no one will be able to stop me from unifying the continent!"
Qian Renxue was resolute.
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!