During spirit ring absorption, the initial energy surge is the most violent.
This is especially true when absorbing a higher-level spirit ring.
Though the overwhelming impact injured Dugu Feng, it didn't rupture his body.
This proved his physique could still endure it.
Within his dantian, the Core Pearl emitted streams of warmth, continuously repairing his internal injuries along his meridians.
At the same time, Dugu Feng remained mentally clear—enduring the pain on one hand, while comprehending the spirit ring's energy on the other.
The absorption process was an evolution, a physical transformation.
He could distinctly sense his Azure Phosphorus Serpent Spirit.
After manifesting, the Martial Soul frantically absorbed the energy of the Nine Heavens Dragon Centipede, integrating it into his body, strengthening his physique and toughening his meridians.
The quality of his Soul Power also improved.
Simultaneously, the most unique trait—Mixed Poison—resurfaced, this time blending three different toxins.
His venom would grow even stronger.
Dugu Feng's gaze was icy, radiating absolute calm.
His mind raced, meticulously sensing every subtle shift in the toxins.
"Hah!"
Suddenly, Dugu Feng exhaled sharply as excruciating pain surged through his meridians.
Without thinking, he knew the Mixed Poison had struck him first.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, and the Nine Heavens Dragon Centipede—each was a highly venomous Spirit Beast.
Now, the three deadly venoms, distributed across three spirit rings, clashed violently within his body.
The agony was several times worse than when only two toxins had mixed.
No wonder his father, after absorbing four venom-attribute Spirit Beast rings, dared not attempt a fifth.
Each new mixture multiplied the potency—and the physical demands to withstand it.
Moreover, the true terror of Mixed Poison lay in its variability.
Three toxins blending could produce countless permutations, each wreaking havoc on different organs in distinct ways.
Dugu Feng experienced a bizarre array of sensations—numbness, dizziness, itching, exhaustion, corrosion—nothing was spared.
He knew full well that he had to endure.
With all his focus, he guided the gradually stabilizing Nine Heavens Dragon Centipede energy, merging it with his Soul Power, turning it into an ally—his own strength—to form the third spirit ring.
Then, he channeled his enhanced Soul Power and the Core Pearl's warmth to reinforce the areas ravaged by the Mixed Poison, strengthening them to endure the venom's intensity.
During this process, outside Dugu Feng's body,
three spirit rings—yellow, purple, purple—pulsed rhythmically, gleaming brilliantly.
Dugu Feng had officially become a Soul Expert.
His internal Soul Power fluctuations had surged past level 32, filling him with exhilaration—this leap in absorption had yielded immense rewards.
Though the spirit ring absorption was complete, the true danger—adapting to the Mixed Poison—had only just begun.
Time passed slowly.
Not until dawn did Dugu Feng finally tame the Mixed Poison within him, mastering every possible variation.
Three. Three toxins now merged into his Mixed Poison. Just two more spirit rings, and he could achieve Overlord Venom.
Recalling how his father had silently poisoned Huyan Zhen to death with Overlord Venom last time, Dugu Feng trembled with excitement.
The quality of the Mixed Poison was exceptionally high. During the adaptation process, the Core Pearl's energy increased by two points, reaching eighty-three.
Dugu Feng sensed the nearly filled Core Pearl. From now on, using the Three Mixed Poisons to condense toxins for the Core Pearl would undoubtedly speed up the process significantly.
At this moment, he also comprehended his Third Soul Skill.
Jade Phosphorous Light Shadow Kill!
The third Spirit Ring shimmered as a surge of intense dark-green Soul Power transformed into three humanoid light shadows, lunging out from three different directions.
The light shadows were covered in dense, razor-sharp spikes.
Wherever the light shadows passed, even the grass and plants on the ground corroded and dissolved.
In the end, the three light shadows collided with the trees in the forest.
They swiftly coiled around them, and three trees instantly shattered into fragments and powder.
This was Dugu Feng's Third Soul Skill—a powerful offensive ability.
It could both disorient enemies with mental toxins and deliver a devastating toxic assault.
"Young Master, three light shadows attacking simultaneously, each with the strength to overpower a Soul Expert—this Soul Skill is absolutely monstrous!" Old Nine was dumbfounded.
From his perception, each of these three humanoid light shadows was comparable to someone else's Third Soul Skill.
Yet Dugu Feng had three of them.
"After absorbing a Spirit Ring so far beyond my level, it would be unreasonable not to gain a powerful Soul Skill!" Dugu Feng chuckled as if it were only natural.
"Young Master, your extraordinary talent has already far surpassed ordinary Soul Masters. Even among the Upper Three Sects and the Spirit Hall, there's no genius like you!"
Eleven years and one month old, a thirty-two-level Soul Expert.
Old Nine was at a loss for words to praise him further.
"Alright, Old Nine. You know the situation of our family. The faster we cultivate, the stronger the toxins become—it's a death sentence. If we can't reach the Titled Douluo level and find a way to completely resolve the toxins, everything is meaningless!" Dugu Feng had now calmed down.
This time, while absorbing the Spirit Ring, he truly felt the overwhelming power of the Mixed Poison.
He needed to make more preparations before absorbing the fourth Spirit Ring.
Dugu Feng's mature and composed demeanor elevated Old Nine's opinion of him even further.
The Dugu Family was truly on the rise, filling Old Nine with hope.
Without further delay, the two immediately set off to return to the family.
Back in the familiar underground cavern, Xiao Jiu was the first to greet them.
"Young Master, the gathering of the Four Single Attribute Clans you asked me to monitor will begin in three days. This time, it's being held at the Strength Clan. The Soul Masters from the Speed Clan and the Defense Clan have already arrived."
"Yang Wudi of the Destruction Clan is still on the road and expected to arrive in two days!"
Dugu Feng's eyes lit up.
Perfect!
Ever since returning from Slaughter City, Dugu Feng had been considering matters related to the Destruction Clan and Yang Wushuang.
To this end, he had Old Nine and the others investigate the latest developments among the Four Single Attribute Clans.
The four clans held a gathering every two years.
They took turns hosting it in their respective cities to strengthen bonds and support one another.
This time, it was the Strength Clan's turn to host in Heaven Dou City.
Now, it was finally beginning.
"Keep monitoring. Inform me immediately once the Destruction Clan enters the city!" Dugu Feng ordered.
"Yes, Young Master!" Xiao Jiu acknowledged and withdrew.
Dugu Feng paced back and forth in the cavern, contemplating how to make his move.
It had to be done without overtly targeting the Spirit Hall.
In truth, he had only one goal—to ensure Yang Wushuang's death.
As the saying goes, when it comes to masters of poison, only the Dugu Family should exist. Only then would the Spirit Hall fear the Dugu Family.
As for Yang Wudi, leader of the Destruction Clan, according to the original plot, his sons were killed by the Spirit Hall, so he must harbor deep hatred for them and would want to eliminate the traitor Yang Wushuang.
However, after the incident with Tang Bo in Slaughter City, Dugu Feng realized he couldn't rely entirely on his knowledge of the plot.