Old Snake stood there reminiscing, continuously sensing his body, but even after a long while, there were no changes within him.
He asked in astonishment, "Young master, what was that just now?"
Previously, right after they secured the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Dugu Shuo had given him an herb that strengthened his foundation, cultivated his vitality, and enhanced his cultivation, altering his physique and increasing his Soul Power by two levels.
The sensation of absorbing that herb had been very clear at the time, so why was there no reaction this time?
Dugu Feng understood Old Snake's thoughts perfectly well. He said, "The immortal medicine I gave you dissolves upon entering your throat. It won't rapidly boost your strength, but it will gradually enhance your physical resilience, toughen your meridians, and refine your Soul Power.
The effects will last until you reach the Titled Douluo realm.
You'll come to appreciate the benefits in time!"
Old Snake immediately broke into a foolish grin: "Young master, are you saying I can cultivate to the Titled Douluo realm? But I'm only at level 83 now!"
The Titled Douluo realm, where one would be respectfully addressed as "Your Eminence" - it was something he hadn't even dared to dream of.
"Old Snake, look at your lack of ambition. You're even worse than Little Snake - at least he dreams of becoming a Titled Douluo..."
Dugu Feng mocked him briefly before ignoring him further. He glanced at the earthen jar that had accompanied him during his cultivation days, then left the courtyard.
Left behind was Old Snake, who kept muttering "Titled Douluo" to himself.
Soon, Dugu Feng arrived at the ancestral hall.
"Greetings, Father!"
Dugu Feng bowed respectfully to Dugu Shuo, who stood calmly at the entrance of the ancestral hall.
Dugu Shuo wore a jade-green robe, his hair streaked with white and green, making him appear quite aged.
In truth, Dugu Feng knew very well this was his father's disguise. Periodically, he used his External Soul Bone to draw out the stubborn toxins accumulated in his father's body.
Combined with the Soul Bone within his father's body, he had largely overcome the problem of toxic flare-ups.
Dugu Shuo wasn't actually old - he had Dugu Feng at thirty-five, and reached the Soul Saint realm when Dugu Feng was two years old.
Now that Dugu Feng was nineteen, Dugu Shuo was only fifty-four.
With his strength at the Soul Douluo level and having consumed immortal herbs, his normal appearance should be ruddy complexion with black hair tinged with green.
Yet his father always maintained this aged appearance.
Dugu Feng understood his father's reasoning perfectly - Soul Masters who used poison always aroused wariness and rejection in others.
After all, killing without leaving traces - even the most powerful experts would worry about being poisoned secretly.
His father's frail appearance served to lower others' guard.
Moreover, other factions knew that members of the Dugu Family didn't enjoy long lifespans and had high mortality rates, naturally reducing their perceived threat.
How cunning!
Dugu Feng was quite impressed!
"Feng'er, come with me!" Dugu Shuo called out before turning and entering the ancestral hall.
Dugu Feng quickly followed him inside.
Entering the ancestral hall, Dugu Shuo motioned for Dugu Feng to sit in one of the chairs lining the sides.
Amid the gathered memorial tablets and swirling incense smoke, Dugu Feng had grown accustomed to his father discussing matters in this environment.
"Feng'er, Xue Ye the Great died from the Colorful Mottled Poison. This poison was administered by Yang Wushuang, and Yang Wushuang serves the Spirit Hall.
This means the Spirit Hall is supporting Xue Qinghe."
"Feng'er, when the second and third princes died, Xue Qinghe was still very young and had no possible connection with the Spirit Hall whatsoever."
"Now that Xue Qinghe has just ascended the throne, he's about to launch a unification war, a great battle against Star Luo. The danger doesn't lie in the war itself, but in the Spirit Hall. Yet Xue Qinghe doesn't seem worried about the Spirit Hall's obstruction at all."
"Why is this?"
"With the expedition imminent, if we can't clarify these matters, I won't feel at ease."
"This Xue Qinghe has always been unfathomable to me!"
Dugu Shuo sighed deeply.
His son had been close with Xue Qinghe, and Dugu Shuo always felt that his son knew something!
Meanwhile, Dugu Feng smiled inwardly - his father had finally asked.
His composure was indeed remarkable!
After thinking for a moment, he said: "Father, Xue Qinghe does have an understanding with the Spirit Hall. As for how he established contact with them, I don't know either."
"But he once hinted to me that the Spirit Hall wouldn't obstruct the unification war!"
Dugu Feng considered revealing Xue Qinghe's true identity as Qian Renxue, but ultimately decided against it.
Dugu Shuo's face showed contemplation - he had somewhat anticipated this.
Then Dugu Feng continued: "Xue Qinghe is an ambitious person. Reaching an understanding with the Spirit Hall is like making a pact with the devil."
"Judging from his reform measures, his goal is to strengthen the Heaven Dou Empire's power, ultimately making it the strongest empire on the continent."
"Spirit Hall's Pope Bibi Dong has the same objective."
"When both the first and second want to dominate, they'll first eliminate the third!"
Dugu Feng's analogy wasn't far from the actual situation.
Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong would ultimately have to decide who prevails, but before that, both wanted to eliminate the Star Luo Empire first.
Dugu Shuo looked surprised, then said: "I'm just worried that we'll both suffer heavy losses fighting the Star Luo Empire, allowing the Spirit Hall to take us down in one fell swoop."
His concern was almost identical to Dugu Bo's.
"Father, I don't think we need to worry. With the Clear Sky Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School assisting us, I believe Bibi Dong won't want to fight head-on either."
"Last time Bibi Dong fought Tang Hao and others, she was severely injured. She'll definitely be cautious and won't act unless completely confident!" Dugu Feng said calmly.
This was just the reason he gave his father. In reality, with Qiandao Liu around, unless Bibi Dong's strength surpassed Qiandao Liu's, she couldn't openly obstruct Qian Renxue.
Dugu Shuo nodded with relief - his son's assessment of the continent's situation was quite accurate.
He didn't know about Bibi Dong's God Test, otherwise he wouldn't think this way.
"Father, for us, the most important thing is to improve our strength. Xue Qinghe will handle the expedition matters. We don't need to take the lead - maintaining a low profile has always been our Dugu Family's style!"
Dugu Shuo nodded again - his son was right.
Family interests came above all else.
Over the past few years since Yu Yuanzhen's death, even though the Dugu Family maintained a low profile, their influence had expanded significantly.
The Dugu Family had Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo.
Plus the rapid development of Ultimate Academy.
And Dugu Feng was the Heaven Dou Empire's top genius.
With such strength, many already considered them qualified to rank among the Upper Three Sects.
This was absolutely not the time to become arrogant!
Next, Dugu Feng told his father about Dugu Bo's situation, informing him about Dugu Bo's submission.
"Wait, Feng'er, are you saying you defeated my second uncle?" Dugu Shuo asked in astonishment.
"Yes, Father. According to your prediction, after subduing the Eight-Angle Black Ice Herb and Blazing Apricot Delight, I have gained control over the Cold Poison and Fire Poison Domains.
In the unique environment of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, I directly defeated him!"
Dugu Feng declared proudly.
"What are my second uncle's thoughts now?"
"Naturally, he intends to submit to our Poison Cultivation Lineage and follow your lead without question!" Dugu Feng laughed.
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