A year had unfurled its secrets, deepening the intricate dance of power within Spirit Hall's towering walls.
Bibi Dong, ever the shadow weaving her own destiny, ventured into Sunset Forest at dawn, leaving her clone to guard Yoriichi and Qian Renxue.
The forest hummed with life, its tangled vines and whispering winds a stark contrast to the marble halls she called home. Her senses, honed to razor sharpness, caught a disturbance deep within—a miasma of poison cloaking a vast clearing, its invisible tendrils forming a barrier so subtle it eluded even her keen perception at first.
This is no ordinary toxin, she thought, her Death Spider Emperor soul probing its essence. Its odorless, colorless nature baffled her, requiring her martial soul's affinity to unravel its complexity.
Even a Titled Douluo would falter here, she mused, marveling at its craftsmanship.
Behind a roaring waterfall, she discovered a hidden cave, its entrance veiled by the poison mist, untouched by explorers.
Inside, bioluminescent moss cast an eerie glow, illuminating ancient carvings of serpentine beasts etched into the walls ouside—symbols of a forgotten poison master.
Who forged this sanctuary? she wondered, her future memories stirring. A name surfaced: Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo.
In her past life, his toxins had crippled Heaven Dou's elite, framing Qian Renxue and tarnishing Spirit Hall's name, a blow that fueled her downfall. He was Tang San's ally, she recalled, her jaw tightening.
His schemes won't touch my daughter this time, she thought. Dugu Bo's loyalty, however, was a treasure she coveted. She remembered Tang San curing him by transferring his poison to soul bones—a detail she'd once dismissed in arrogance due to her thinking as weakest titled douluo for him.
I'll investigate his home, assess his weakness, and bind his loyalty, she decided, planning a covert visit to Heaven Dou's capital.
Before leaving, she tested her strength against a 90,000-year-old Silverfang Serpent, its scales glinting like molten silver as it struck from the underbrush. Its venomous fangs dripped with corrosive ichor, but Bibi Dong countered with stealth technique, weaving a net from Soul Devoring Spider Emperor that slowed its strikes. Her Death Spider Emperor form unleashed a torrent of toxic threads, paralyzing the beast.
The battle was grueling, its agility pushing her to refine her fusion technique, blending both souls into a piercing strike that shattered its defenses.
My power sharpens, she thought, absorbing its essence to bolster her own, though a distant, ominous aura warned her to retreat. Something stronger lurks—best not linger.
By afternoon, Bibi Dong returned to Spirit Hall, merging seamlessly with her clone. In the training courtyard, dappled by sunlight, Yoriichi and Renxue wielded wooden swords, their five-year-old forms a blend of earnest effort and childish play.
Yoriichi's movements were fluid, his slashes precise, echoing faint memories of his past life's swordsmanship. "Hold it steady, Renxue," he coached, demonstrating a clean arc.
Renxue, her blonde hair bouncing, mimicked him, her swings enthusiastic but clumsy, often missing the mark. She giggled when her sword tipped, tumbling onto the grass.
Bibi Dong, watching from the sidelines, stifled a laugh. Yoriichi moves like a born swordsman, and Renxue's spirit refuses to yield.
She approached, her voice warm. "Time for a break, my loves. Lunch, then studies." The twins nodded, their faces flushed with effort, and followed her to the dining hall.
AMV
Yoriichi: The sword feels alive in my hands, a whisper of my old strength. Renxue's determination pushes me—we'll grow together, carving our own paths in this vibrant world.
Bibi Dong: This poison barrier unveils Dugu Bo's cunning, but I'll turn it to my gain. My twins' swordplay sparks pride; their growth fuels my plans to seize control.
Lunch was a lively affair, the maids serving fragrant rice and roasted spirit beast meat, the twins chattering about their training. "I'll swing better tomorrow!" Renxue declared, her purple eyes bright.
Yoriichi nodded, "You're getting stronger, Sister." Bibi Dong smiled, her heart light, and led them to their study room after. She read from a tome on spirit domains, explaining how they shaped battles, her words tailored to their curious minds.
Yoriichi absorbed every detail, connecting it to the soul power he sensed, while Renxue asked, "Can domains make sparkles?" Bibi Dong chuckled, "Perhaps, my angel."
To deepen her plot against Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong maintained her facade, greeting him with calculated warmth. "Master, how was your day?" she asked at dinner, her tone disarming.
Xunji, his suspicion fading, puffed up with pride. She's warming to me, he thought, unaware of her intent—a betrayal in the Secret Chamber, where his power would become hers. He engaged Renxue with stories of Spirit Hall's triumphs, ignoring Yoriichi, who observed silently, unbothered. Renxue, loyal to her brother, frowned but said nothing, saving her smiles for him later.
That evening, Bibi Dong visited the castle's archive, retrieving a scroll on poison-based martial souls to prepare for Dugu Bo. His loyalty could shift the balance, she thought, envisioning a healed Douluo as her ally.
She'd sneak into his residence soon, using her concealment to uncover his state. Returning to her chamber, she found the twins practicing a new ritual—a balance game where they stood on one leg, swords raised, giggling when they toppled. "You're both naturals," she praised, joining them briefly, her laughter blending with theirs.
As night fell, Xunji retired to his room, his thoughts adrift. Bibi Dong's smiles, her greetings—they're real now, he mused, dreaming of a future where she was fully his. Patience, then her heart, he vowed, oblivious to her blade sharpening in the shadows.
In her chamber, Bibi Dong tucked the twins in, their small forms nestled against her. She kissed their foreheads, her plans for Dugu Bo simmering—a quiet step toward dominion. The three slept, their breaths a soft symphony, the night guarding their dreams.
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Dear readers, I apologise for late updates as I am busy with my college works and also focusing on my new novel "Twin Blades of the Apocalypse" to make it more interesting for u. I hope u atleast read 2-3 chapters and if liked them add it to ur library.