Chapter 241: The Evolution of the Danchu
A faint hum echoed—
Dugu Feng's body shuddered slightly.
Within his lower dantian, the emerald Danchu energy reached its peak once more.
In that instant, the sphere erupted in a dazzling jade brilliance, its surface gleaming like a mirror.
Across its reflective sheen, countless images flickered into view.
The clearest one showed Ning Rongrong enduring the raging energy tides.
Her breathing had slowed, syncing perfectly with the rhythm of the surging power.
Dugu Feng's lips curved into a faint smile.
Ning Rongrong's comprehension was exceptional.
After enduring pain and pressure for a while, she had sensed the natural pattern of the energy waves and was now using them skillfully to temper her body.
"After this trial," he murmured to himself, "her rapid growth will truly stabilize—
she'll gain a foundation that will carry her all the way to the Contra realm."
He could see her physical body evolving visibly stronger through the Danchu's vision, and it put him at ease.
The reflective surface of the Danchu shimmered again, shifting scenes to reveal Hu Liena.
She was draped in black, her alluring eyes now cold and faintly demonic, a short gleaming dagger clutched in her hand as she stood proudly upon the bloodstained streets of the City of Slaughter.
By his estimation, she had been there for nearly three years now—her record of victories had reached ninety-three.
Not an astonishing pace.
Could my earlier visit to the City of Slaughter have disrupted its natural balance? he wondered.
Suddenly, high above the city, he glimpsed a great shadowy bat staring down at her—
"The King of Slaughter," Dugu Feng muttered. "It seems he's hesitating… whether to spare her or to deal with Bibi Dong."
He chuckled coldly.
The image shifted again.
Now he saw a scorching white cavern—deathly pale from burning heat.
A massive flaming figure with flowing crimson hair battled a hulking soul beast that looked like a titanic bear.
Molten magma cascaded around them like rivers of red fire, meteoric flames bombarding the beast from every direction.
This must be Death Canyon—the Spirit Hall's restricted region where soul beasts were gathered and refined.
That fiery giant was Yan, training within its infernal depths.
The scene shattered, replaced by the image of a mature, alluring woman meditating within a quiet room.
It was Zhu Zhuyun—her cultivation had reached level fifty-nine, just a single step from the Spirit Emperor stage. Her progress was terrifyingly fast.
Dugu Feng immediately understood why.
After Dai Weisi's death, the Star Luo Emperor had flown into a rage—yet powerless against Spirit Hall, all he could do was fume and condemn, unable to avenge his son.
As for Zhu Zhuyun, her position as Crown Princess vanished overnight.
Though not completely disgraced, her situation became awkward.
But in truth, Zhu Zhuyun secretly rejoiced.
She had already given herself to Dugu Feng—and Dai Weisi's death freed her completely.
Yet outwardly, she appeared mournful and withdrawn, not stepping out of the Zhu Family estate for three full years.
It was the wise choice—this was not the time for her to draw attention.
Focused entirely on cultivation, her improvement became astonishing.
She was the only one aside from Dugu Feng who knew of the Danchu's existence, and with his permission, she could sense its energy within herself.
Her progress, synchronized with the Danchu's rhythm, was immense.
Her sole ambition now—was to become a titled Douluo.
Zhu Zhuyun's image faded, replaced by Zhu Zhuqing's.
She was in a bustling supply town outside the Star Dou Great Forest—numerous shops lining the streets.
"She's near the forest?" Dugu Feng thought, his expression softening slightly.
Zhu Zhuqing's training was relentless as ever, pushing herself to the limit near the perilous forest border.
That little cat was working harder than anyone knew.
After Dai Mubai's ascension as Crown Prince, Zhu Zhuqing became the focus of the empire's attention—
a future queen in everyone's eyes.
But few realized she had vanished completely, disappearing into the wilderness.
She had no intention of returning.
The vision shifted once again, revealing a familiar scene—Ye Lingling's residence.
Only… it was Dugu Yan standing there, not Ye Lingling.
Seeing her pacing thoughtfully in Ye Lingling's chamber, Dugu Feng immediately understood.
Dugu Yan was suspicious.
Ye Lingling's cultivation had surpassed her dramatically.
Back during the tournament, Yan had been level forty-four while Ye Lingling was forty-two. Now, Ye Lingling was level fifty-four—while Yan had barely reached forty-nine.
Despite her diligence, she had been overtaken by her closest friend, who was an auxiliary spirit master no less.
Yan's instincts screamed that Lingling must have obtained a miracle.
That was why she kept visiting, trying to uncover the truth.
But Ye Lingling remained tight-lipped—she would never speak of the immortal herbs.
"Hmph," Dugu Yan muttered coldly in the vision. "Don't pretend with me. It must be Dugu Feng—it has to be him who helped you!"
Her resentment had evolved into intuition—and that intuition was precisely correct.
Ye Lingling sighed helplessly: "You already know, so why ask again? I've told you—whatever grudges you and your cousin share, let them go. Say a kind word to him, show him care.
If you do, I'm sure he'll help you too."
Dugu Yan's face hardened. "I'd rather die than lower myself to him."
She refused to believe she couldn't become strong without him.
Dugu Feng withdrew his gaze from the vision. Whether Yan's pride would be her downfall, time would tell.
Then, a final image emerged—and his expression brightened instantly.
Shi Nian.
The old illusionist had reached level seventy-nine—on the verge of advancing to Contra.
Dugu Feng was highly satisfied.
Shi Nian possessed a unique martial soul and exceptional talent in illusionary arts. Dugu Feng estimated that his future bottleneck at level eighty-nine would be far lower than most.
It would still take time to reach Title Douluo, but time was something Dugu Feng could afford.
Shi Nian was a perfect candidate for ascension.
At last, all the visions dissolved, the mirror-surface of the Danchu glowing prismatically.
One Danchu became two—
eight pearls became sixteen.
Each now held under ten percent of their original energy, but their potential had multiplied.
The evolution triggered a surge of warmth through Dugu Feng's body.
"Finally… some abundance," he murmured with a grin. "You two serpents—one each!"
The wind-energy tides still raged around them.
As Ning Rongrong endured the crashing waves, her lips parted unconsciously. Unbeknownst to her, one of Dugu Feng's Danchu flew from his body and entered her Jade Dragon Snake.
Another Danchu followed, merging into the second serpent.
The feedback energy from sixteen Danchu then coursed into the two soul beasts.
It was a feast of pure essence.
Dugu Feng had decided long ago to invest in the Jade Dragon Snakes.
They had accompanied him through every trial—
from obtaining external spirit bones, to slaying Yu Yuanzhen—each critical victory hinged on their power.
Their stealth, speed, and poison made them invaluable—lethal beyond their rank.
This time, he planned to raise them both past fifty thousand years—to forge true partners worthy of the Poison Demon King.
(END CHAPTER)
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