Chapter 2: Tyrant Poison
Dugu Feng froze for a moment—so that was it. Last night had been the first time his body's poison had flared up.
But he hadn't survived through sheer willpower like Dugu Shuo believed. Instead, his own soul had transmigrated into this poisoned body.
The Dugu family truly had a cruel heart. To produce a single heir, so many had died.
On those sparse ancestral tablets were not many names—but behind each name lay countless lives. This was a clan whose inheritance was built upon ruthless sacrifice.
"Yes, Father," Dugu Feng said, striving to imitate his predecessor's tone and manner.
"Kneel before your grandfather and great-grandfather. Do not fail their expectations," Dugu Shuo commanded.
Dugu Feng glanced at the names: his grandfather, Dugu Hao, and his great-grandfather, Dugu Hai.
He decisively kowtowed three times. From this point onward, he was Dugu clan's descendant in truth.
He could keenly sense that the rift between Dugu Hao and Dugu Bo must have involved their father. Family quarrels between brothers often started with parental bias—perhaps one side had taken all the clan's resources.
Moments ago, his father had mentioned the terms "Serpent Cultivation" and "Poison Cultivation." From his predecessor's memories, Dugu Feng already understood these were the two paths soul masters of the Dugu family followed.
The Serpent Cultivation path was of the control system—the path Dugu Bo had chosen.
It focused on exploiting the Jade Phosphor Serpent's control-oriented skills. For example, Dugu Yan, whom he remembered from his past life, had her first two spirit abilities as support techniques, delaying the time her poison would flare.
Of course, poison was the Jade Phosphor Serpent's innate gift—born within its blood.
Even if one developed control-oriented soul skills intentionally, the toxic buildup would continue. Eventually, upon reaching certain cultivation levels, poison eruption was inevitable.
The other path, Poison Cultivation, was of the assault system—each soul ring came from a poisonous soul beast, sharpening one's venom and combat prowess in pursuit of overwhelming strength.
But the stronger the poison cultivation, the earlier the poison flared—and the sooner death arrived. It was truly a race against time.
Their branch clearly followed this Poison Cultivation path.
Dugu Feng felt a chill in his heart; this lineage was terrifying.
After a while, he clenched his teeth. Damn it, if poison can't kill me, I'll become stronger. I'll become the King of Poison, seize the immortal herbs, and surpass them all! His heart burned with determination.
Born a Dugu, I won't let Dugu Bo become someone else's underling again!
"What is Jade Phosphor Violet Poison?" Dugu Shuo suddenly asked.
"Jade Phosphor Violet Poison is the innate toxin of the Jade Phosphor Serpent. It's microscopic, invisible to the naked eye, with a faintly fishy odor. When condensed, it forms a faintly purple mist.
"Upon attacking, it enters an enemy's body through skin, nostrils, or mouth, rapidly corroding their flesh until they dissolve into pus within moments."
Cold light flashed in Dugu Shuo's gloomy eyes. "How is Jade Phosphor Violet Poison used?"
"At first, it's expelled through the mouth, though easily detected. As mastery deepens, it can be emitted through the hands, quick as blades. At the highest level, even a strand of hair can release poison—silent and unseen."
Dugu Feng answered instinctively, his mind recalling the knowledge ingrained in his body.
How much torture did this body endure before I got here…?
"What is Jade Phosphor Crimson Poison?"
"Jade Phosphor Crimson Poison is the evolved toxin of the Jade Phosphor Serpent. It targets the enemy's spiritual power. Colorless, odorless, and far more insidious than Violet Poison, it can manipulate, confuse, and corrode one's mind."
"What is…"
"What is…"
"What is…"
Father and son continued back and forth for over ten rounds of questions.
Dugu Feng's cheeks were flushed, his mind razor-focused. His predecessor's memories and his own soul were fusing rapidly.
He felt his spirit heating up—burning even.
What was happening?
Hopefully not an explosion…
Boom!
A flash of light filled his mind. A translucent, egg-sized pearl—radiant white, shimmering beautifully—appeared before his inner sight.
Isn't that my ancestral jade pearl? It came with me!
It floated and spun slowly within his lower abdomen.
That was the dantian—the core of all spiritual energy.
Dugu Feng's heart surged with excitement. My golden finger! I actually have one!
Suppressing his thrill, he maintained a calm facade, instinctively answering as Dugu Shuo continued the questioning.
Thanks to the soul fusion, he now fully grasped all the previous Dugu Feng's knowledge.
He feared no examination now.
Dugu Shuo's face became grave, his gaze sharp as a blade. "What is Tyrant Poison!"
"Tyrant Poison is a compound toxin—the ultimate secret of our Dugu Clan's Poison Cultivation. Through careful soul ring combinations, one continually evolves the venom, achieving the Tyrant Poison as early as the Soul King stage.
"As its name suggests, Tyrant Poison reigns supreme among poisons—even a Titled Douluo cannot purge it.
"But only those with unparalleled talent can cultivate it. The poison slays its wielder before others."
Dugu Feng's young face held a somber expression far beyond his years. He had long trained himself not to smile—Dugu Shuo detested laughter of any kind.
As he pondered the nature of Tyrant Poison, he realized how deep the clan's research into toxins truly ran. In their struggle to master poison, they could not escape their own destruction.
Dugu Shuo suddenly turned toward the ancestral tablets of Dugu Hao and Dugu Hai, falling to his knees with a thud. "Father, Grandfather above, Feng'er has mastered our Dugu heritage. His talent surpasses mine.
"He suffered poison backlash at four years old—the earliest in clan history.
"He will surely master Tyrant Poison and restore the glory of our Poison Line!"
A feverish gleam shone in Dugu Shuo's eyes. Dugu Feng, standing beside him, could feel his fanaticism radiating.
This father is insane, thought Dugu Feng. He'd sacrifice everything for poison cultivation. Still… with my ancestral pearl, I should survive. I'll need to explore what power it holds.
His palms itched with curiosity, but he didn't dare make a move under his father's gaze.
Eventually, Dugu Shuo's wild expression faded into calm.
"Come, Feng'er."
He led Dugu Feng outside.
At the gate, a middle-aged man was already waiting.
Dugu Feng didn't recognize him at all. His predecessor's memories had no trace of this man.
"Greetings, Clan Leader. Greetings, Young Master."
The man wore a green robe and had a short, thin frame, almost like a dwarf. His bright green eyes gleamed like emeralds—clearly another Dugu clansman.
"Old Snake, Feng'er is in your hands. Begin his training," Dugu Shuo said flatly.
"Young Master is only four years old," Old Snake hesitated.
"Feng'er's poison has already flared."
"What?" Old Snake froze, then looked at Dugu Feng with pity. To erupt at four—he wouldn't live an easy life.
What sin had this child committed?
He gently took Dugu Feng's hand. "Young Master, my name is Dugu She—you can call me Old Snake. Don't be afraid. I'll help you endure the toxins."
"Alright. I'll go now, Father," Dugu Feng said, bowing to Dugu Shuo.
After his father nodded, Dugu She led him around the ancestral hall into the rear courtyard.
Dugu Feng noticed that within the Dugu estate, green was the most dominant color—it almost made him dizzy.
Even my hair might turn green someday… hopefully not. I'll need to find a soul bone soon to suppress the toxins.
(END CHAPTER)
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