In the courtyard shrouded in churning toxic mist, Dugu Bo's emerald pupils suddenly contracted.
The swirling vortex of soul power surrounding the Porcupinefish Douluo emanated an eerie purple glow. This Title Douluo, renowned for his mastery of poisons, was channeling energy into some unknown soul skill.
Dugu Bo instinctively shifted half a step to the side. The phantom form of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor hissed behind him, enveloping Emperor Xue Ye in a dark green soul barrier. However, this caused him to overlook the faint medicinal scent lingering in the air.
"Cough!"
Suddenly, veins bulged on Xue Ye's forehead. The pitch-black soul ring he was fusing violently shook, and blood trickling from the corners of his mouth glowed with an unnatural purple hue.
"This is impossible! When did this happen?!"
Dugu Bo clenched his knuckles until they turned white. He had already spread his poison fog to its maximum extent—any poison should have been devoured by the poison core concealed within the mist.
A faint medicinal aroma wafted through the acrid fog. Dugu Bo's pupils dilated in shock—Medusa's Skull activated its petrifying gaze instantaneously, unleashing a gray-white beam that forced the Porcupinefish Douluo back ten meters.
Dugu Bo caught a whiff of something unusual and identified the medicinal scent, roaring in anger: "A Title Douluo stooping to such despicable tactics!"
"Snake gall mixed with Datura Snake saliva," Dugu Bo's nostrils flared as he strained to identify the medicinal scent and deduce the types of poisons it might trigger.
He realized with alarm that the enemy didn't need to directly administer poison. By merely introducing catalytic agents into the air, they could activate the chronic poisons already latent within Xue Ye's body.
There was no time to ponder when Xue Ye had been poisoned. Dugu Bo shouted, "You all hold him off—I'll detoxify His Majesty."
His Jade Phosphorous poison core could absorb all manner of poisons, alleviating Xue Ye's condition without issue.
Before his words faded, two blurs suddenly erupted into action.
One of the Soul Douluos who had been guarding nearby tore off a human-skin mask, revealing the wrinkled face of Dragon Duke Meng Shu.
Meanwhile, the maid disguise fell away from another figure, revealing Snake Grandmother Chaotianxiang. In an instant, their combined martial soul fusion unleashed a torrent of pressure, parting the toxic fog and creating a clear space.
"Dragon and Serpent Dance!"
The entwined white dragon and black snake surged forward with thunderous force toward the Porcupinefish Douluo, only to be intercepted mid-air by a sudden flash of a spear.
The golden-green snake spear moved like a living creature, and the Spear Serpent Douluo emerged from the shadows. "Dragon Duke and Snake Grandmother, are you people from the Cryptid Sect really willing to meddle in this mess?"
Dragon Duke slammed his dragon-headed staff down heavily. "Traitors and rebels deserve death. Since the Cryptid Sect has established itself in the Tendo Empire, it naturally owes allegiance to the empire."
In truth, Xue Ye had invited the Cryptid Sect out of concern that Ning Fengzhi wouldn't want to see the imperial family grow too powerful. After all, the cooperation between the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the imperial family had always been unequal. Xue Ye couldn't command any disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and Ning Fengzhi sought greater influence in their alliance.
Moreover, if Xue Ye became a support-type Title Douluo, the importance of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would inevitably decline. Projecting his own motives onto others, Xue Ye doubted Ning Fengzhi would remain passive.
Thus, Xue Ye brought in the Cryptid Sect—a relatively new sect with unstable heritage—as a contingency plan to counterbalance the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. But he also couldn't afford to alienate the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect entirely. Maintaining this delicate balance was the essence of imperial strategy.
Similarly, the Cryptid Sect, predominantly composed of battle soul masters, would become Xue Ye's sharpest blade.
Having spent sixty years together, Dragon Duke and Snake Grandmother operated with perfect synergy, speaking no unnecessary words as they continued their assault.
Their martial soul fusion technique transformed into two intertwined dragons—a white one and a black one—emanating overwhelming power that enveloped the battlefield.
Rather than retreating, the Porcupinefish Douluo pressed forward, sneering. Why resist so stubbornly? Playing along would be much easier. His performance had been exhausting.
Their objective had never been assassination but rather ensuring that this emperor's breakthrough would be "appropriately" interrupted, leaving him a puppet in need of prolonged detoxification.
Seeing Dugu Bo begin the detoxification process, the Porcupinefish Douluo remarked indifferently, "How long do you intend to wait? If Xue Ye breaks through, none of us will escape unscathed."
The Spear Serpent Douluo understood and chimed in, "What's worrying you? My poison isn't so easily neutralized."
He unleashed his martial soul, wielding the snake spear with extraordinary flair, as if a real serpent were flying through the air, blocking the martial soul fusion attack.
Dragon Duke and Snake Grandmother inwardly lamented. They were already struggling to hold off one Title Douluo. With another opponent joining, their defeat was inevitable. Once their soul power depleted, death was certain.
At the same time, doubts swirled in their minds. They had initially assumed the assassins were sent by the Star Luo Empire, but the presence of two Title Douluos suggested otherwise—this level of coordination seemed more characteristic of the Spirit Hall. Yet the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare assassinate an emperor, as it would cost them public support and legitimacy.
Their limited intellect simply couldn't unravel the mystery!
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Dugu Bo ignored the clashing of weapons behind him. The phantom form of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor completely coiled around Xue Ye, while the poison core hovered above his head, drawing in wisps of venom.
When his soul power probed Xue Ye's meridians, his heart sank.
The chronic poison had already seeped deep into his bones, fully merging with his soul power. This wasn't a recent poisoning—it was the result of years of slow, deliberate contamination!
Though troubled, Dugu Bo hurriedly began the detoxification process. Without an antidote, complete removal was impossible in such a short time.
On the other side of the courtyard, Dragon Duke's palm had already split open. Snake Grandmother, with her lower cultivation level, relied solely on their martial soul fusion technique to fight back. Under the snake spear's erratic piercing patterns, they were gradually pushed back.
The dragon and serpent phantoms created by the fusion technique were being corroded by the dark purple toxic mist.
The two elders exchanged glances, each seeing determination in the other's eyes. They were not cowards. Today, they would sacrifice their lives for the future of their sect!
The Porcupinefish Douluo's bloated body suddenly emitted a muffled sound as his sixth soul ring lit up again after a long buildup.
The crimson-purple poison needles radiated deadly energy, but just as they were about to strike Xue Ye, a green light flashed, freezing time.
Eighth Soul Skill: Time Freeze!
This soul skill consumed an immense amount of soul power, freezing time within a kilometer radius—an unparalleled control-type ability.
The Porcupinefish Douluo wore an unsurprised expression. Dugu Bo had once been pursued by the Spirit Hall after refusing their recruitment, and the effects of his soul skills were well-known.
Forcing out this trump card allowed them to proceed according to their plans.
Dugu Bo flicked his fingers, sending a burst of green soul power to knock away the crimson-purple poison needles. Before lifting the Time Freeze, he unleashed his ninth soul skill, Jade Phosphorous Divine Light, at the Spear Serpent Douluo.
In just three seconds, seventy percent of his soul power was depleted—a terrifying rate even for a Title Douluo!
"Spear Shield!"
The Spear Serpent Douluo, unable to dodge in time, activated his true martial soul form and defensive soul skill to withstand the attack. Dugu Bo's offensive capabilities were mediocre, and the snake spear martial soul possessed considerable poison resistance, leaving him unconcerned.
Taking advantage of the moment, the Porcupinefish Douluo struck, nine poison spikes piercing Snake Grandmother's shoulder blades…
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Sudden applause rang out from beyond the courtyard. An overpowering telekinetic force restrained the two Title Douluos, causing the two Spirit Hall elders' movements to falter slightly.
They harbored no doubt—if they dared to make a single wrong move, the force pressing against their chests and necks would kill them instantly.
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