Chapter 115: Confronting Dugu Bo Head-On
"Dugu Shuo, with your nature of never acting without benefit, to so freely reveal the antidote method—you must have ulterior motives. No need to play games. Speak plainly!"
Dugu Bo shot back immediately, eager to reclaim some dignity.
Dugu Shuo's face turned serious.
"Second Uncle, then I'll be direct.
Since you left the family and still managed to break through to Title Douluo, you clearly encountered an extraordinary opportunity.
I hope that opportunity can be shared with the clan."
This time, it was Dugu Shuo's turn to stare fixedly at Dugu Bo.
As expected, a flicker of shock crossed Dugu Bo's face.
It seemed Dugu Feng's guess had been correct—this uncle's understanding of poison was inferior to their own. The higher his cultivation grew, the stronger the toxicity within him.
How had he resisted it through the Soul Sage and Soul Douluo stages to achieve Title Douluo?
Now, from the look in Dugu Bo's eyes, Dugu Shuo was certain.
He glanced at Dugu Yan as well—her expression carried the same alarm. She clearly knew of the secret too.
"Hehehe!"
A cold, grating laugh rumbled from Dugu Bo's throat.
"So, now you repair the Poison Branch's relationship while you demand my secrets?
When I cultivated to Title Douluo, I used not a single resource from our clan. I wanted every one of you dead!
You think telling me how to manage my toxin makes me your obedient ally?"
Dugu Feng thought quietly, His grudge against the clan truly runs deep.
"Second Uncle, you're still blind. Do you really believe the control-type snake path is stronger than the assault-type poison path?
Feng, at Soul Elder level, defeated Yan, who was close to Soul King rank.
If he were to assassinate, he could kill a hundred of that kind.
And I, your nephew, have already reached Soul Douluo.
In a true assassination, even a Title Douluo might fall.
Telling you the antidote method is my duty as clan head.
But if you refuse to share your opportunity, I have the strength to claim it myself."
"You dare threaten me?" Dugu Bo roared, springing to his feet as murderous light flashed in his eyes.
"Second Uncle still doesn't realize the true power of poison cultivated to its peak. I've already been in this hall for several minutes—can you guess who would leave alive if we fought right now?"
Dugu Shuo's tone remained calm and unyielding.
Dugu Feng felt sweat gather in his palms, tense for his father. He had expected subtle negotiation—never outright confrontation.
Suddenly, Dugu Yan's eyelids fluttered—then she collapsed, unconscious.
"Second Uncle," Dugu Shuo said coldly, "you cannot defend against my poison.
If Yan Yan's condition worsens, who knows how soon her first major poison flare will come—or if she can survive it."
"Good! Very good!" Dugu Bo seethed. "You've truly lost your mind, Dugu Shuo—daring to harm Yan Yan!"
His hands rose, green light bursting from his palms. A wave of soul power, heavy as a hurricane, crashed toward Dugu Shuo, Dugu Feng, and Old Snake.
Dugu Shuo and Old Snake were slammed back, colliding with the hall's walls with a loud thud.
But the force aimed at Dugu Feng was much weaker—Dugu Bo's intent was to capture him alive.
He knew the boy was Dugu Shuo's greatest weakness.
Dugu Feng merely smiled.
The twin Emerald Dragon Snakes around him whipped outward, growing to over two meters in length.
They coiled around him once, their shimmering bodies deflecting the wave of soul power.
"Hm? Such powerful Nine-Segment Emeralds!" Dugu Bo exclaimed in surprise.
He owned one himself, but compared to Dugu Feng's, his was like trash.
Taking two steps back, Dugu Feng said quickly, "Second Grandfather, when I gained my third spirit ring, I discovered that the Sunset Forest could well be called the Forest of Poison Beasts.
The number of poison-type soul beasts there rivals the Star Dou Forest.
And you, Second Grandfather, spend most of your time near Heaven Dou City—so your opportunity must be located within the Sunset Forest!
That forest isn't large, and there are only a handful of extraordinary places within it.
Even if you refuse to share it with the clan, how long do you think you can hide its existence?"
At those words, Dugu Bo's expression turned murderous.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—his most guarded secret.
It was his and his granddaughter's greatest lifeline, suppressing their toxins and extending their lives.
For Dugu Feng to guess this—unforgivable.
He moved to strike.
But Dugu Shuo rose again, blood at the corner of his mouth, hair disheveled yet eyes bright.
"Second Uncle, haven't I already told you—you can't block my poison and survive using soul power."
A glint flashed in his eyes. "You must be feeling it now—the itching under your ribs, the aching in your meridians.
Keep using force, and your latent poison will erupt completely. Yan Yan will follow, her first outbreak imminent.
At best, you can wound me—but never kill me."
Dugu Shuo broke into a short, cold laugh.
The diamond-shaped scale at his forehead shimmered, releasing ripples of four-colored light that spread to shield Dugu Feng and Old Snake.
The murderous fury on Dugu Bo's face confirmed it—Dugu Shuo was right.
As a snake cultivator, his preferred attacks were pure soul power; the more he used it, the more deeply his toxins fused into his body.
He hadn't expected his nephew to be so ruthless—so insane.
Dugu Bo had always considered himself merciless, cutting weeds down to their roots, his reputation dark and feared.
But now, he realized he was still far tamer than this nephew of his.
Entering his hall only to immediately poison both him and his granddaughter?
Even though Dugu Bo despised the Poison Branch, he had never gone so far as to kill them—he simply waited for them to die naturally.
Now, an icy chill crept through his heart. He regretted letting them into his home.
Madman. Truly mad.
He had known the Poison Branch were lunatics, yet curiosity about their supposed antidote method had stayed his caution.
That was his mistake.
Just then, Dugu Yan's body convulsed on the ground.
Dugu Bo inhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm, smothering his rage.
"My opportunity lies at the heart of the Sunset Forest—a special place where toxins can be suppressed. The Poison Branch may use it. Now, cure Yan Yan immediately!"
His voice was low and sharp, but Dugu Yan's pale, trembling form left him no choice.
Father and son exchanged glances—both elated.
"Second Uncle, truly wise," Dugu Shuo said, "I will heal her now."
He didn't move—just let the diamond mark on his forehead shimmer once more.
Instantly, Dugu Yan's breathing steadied, the color returning to her lips.
Dugu Bo felt his own body lighten; the throbbing under his ribs faded, the pain in his meridians easing away.
He hadn't even sensed how Dugu Shuo administered the toxin.
Could mixed poison truly be this undetectable?
Then he remembered the mixed poison within Emperor Xue Ye's body—the one he had failed to notice too.
In that instant, Dugu Bo truly realized—he had underestimated the Poison Branch completely.
(END CHAPTER)
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