Once he could fully master the Eight Spider Lances, iy would be wielding them like extensions of his own arms, each strike laced with deadly poison and his combat strength would soar to a whole new level!
Forget peers of the same rank, even those above him might not be his match.
Dugu Feng sat cross-legged, slowly circulating his soul power to recover.
For the next three days, he didn't step out of his room once. Almost all his time was spent refining control over the Eight Spider Lances, adjusting to their weight and flow of energy.
At the same time, he kept an eye on the situation in Heaven Dou City. The past few days had been unusually quiet, as a matter of fact - too quiet!
On the fourth day, just as he was about to enter meditation again, the Feng brothers came knocking.
"Brother Dugu!" Feng Ling cupped his fists in greeting. "A genius from the Spirit Hall Academy has challenged every student in our school and no one has been able to defeat him. The whole academy's reputation is at stake! We've come to ask you to step in!"
Feng Li, beside him, looked just as anxious.
"Oh?" Dugu Feng's tone carried a hint of curiosity. "Tell me the details."
A genius from Spirit Hall… could it be one of the Golden Generation?
"His name is Yan, Martial Soul: Flame Lord. Spirit power level...forty-eight," Feng Ling said, his voice turning slightly awkward.
Forty-eight… already close to the Soul King realm.
Dugu Feng's expression turned strange. "You two want revenge, is that it? Asking me to duel a Spirit Master stronger than me?"
The Feng brothers gave an embarrassed laugh.
Feng Ling hurriedly explained, "Absolutely not, Brother Dugu! This is Teacher Ge's request as well. You once crossed more than ten levels to defeat Yu Tianheng, so your strength speaks for itself.
"Now, both Yu Tianheng and Shi Mo have already challenged this Yan, but they were defeated without suspense. So the entire academy thought of you. Everyone believes only you can turn this around!"
He then gave a full account of Yan's situation.
Yan had arrived in Heaven Dou City not long after rumors spread that Bibi Dong had left Spirit City. Since then, he'd gone from academy to academy, challenging every school in the region and winning every single match.
His final stop had been Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, where he once again swept through the competition.
Level forty-eight, two yellow and two purple spirit rings. Yet, he'd only used his first three skills so far—a single-target attack, an enhancement skill, and a defense skill.
And still, no one could touch him.
No wonder Father said Heaven Dou City was lively. Even the royal academy was part of the storm now.
So, Bibi Dong really planned to shake the Heaven Dou Empire to its core.
Not only did she send powerful Spirit Hall envoys into the city, but even the younger generation came to crush the Empire's pride.
"The biggest problem," Feng Li added, "is his second spirit skill—Flame Rock Form.
"When activated, his whole body ignites with dark red flames, and his muscles swell like hardened granite.
"One of our senior Soul Ancestors, whose Martial Soul is Explosive Sword, struck him with full power...but it only left a faint mark!
"For Soul Masters below Soul Sect, attacking him is completely useless...it's like scratching an iron wall.
"He's only twenty years old, and his talent has completely shattered our morale."
Twenty years old, forty-eight rank… truly a monstrous genius.
At this rate, in two years when the Continental Soul Master Tournament began, he'd likely reach fifty-two ranks at twenty-two years old.
By comparison, Feng Xiaotian who was born with full innate spirit power, would only be around forty-four ranks at twenty-four.
The Golden Generation of Spirit Hall really lived up to their name.
Dugu Feng leisurely sipped his tea. "Since you put it that way, I'll meet him. Let's see if my poison can melt through his 'rock.'"
The Feng brothers lit up with excitement.
They still remembered vividly how Dugu Feng had defeated Yu Tianheng, crossing ten levels as a mere Grandmaster.
Now that he was a Spirit Elder with a new third ring, maybe he could work another miracle—and defeat Yan across another vast gap!
After all, poison-type Soul Masters didn't rely on brute strength. Their greatest weapon was the poison itself.
And the Dugu Clan's poison was unmatched in the entire Soul Master world.
Once the decision was made, they wasted no time and headed straight for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
At the gates, Dugu Feng saw Ge Ying already waiting for him.
"I knew you'd come," Ge Ying said with a wide grin. "I've already informed the three Deans and they're placing their faith in you. We've spread the word. Three days from now, at noon, the duel will begin!"
Dugu Feng's expression twitched. "Brother Ge, this was your idea, wasn't it? You're putting me right on the roasting spit! Aren't you afraid I'll lose?"
Three days of publicity meant the entire noble circle of Heaven Dou would come to watch.
Ge Ying laughed, slapping him on the shoulder. "Come on! A little fire lord isn't worth worrying about. You'll crush him easily!"
A cold, mocking laugh cut through the air.
"The higher you boast, the harder the fall. I hope your tongue doesn't burn from your own hot air. A gap in spirit power is a gap that can't be crossed. He's not even a Soul Ancestor. What makes you think he can beat Yan?"
Dugu Feng turned toward the voice.
Standing not far away was a man and a woman.
They didn't need to speak to make an impression—the aura around them was sharp and heavy, like two ancient beasts poised to hunt.
Both wore pristine white Spirit Hall Academy uniforms, embroidered with the golden insignia of the Hall.
The speaker was a man with short black hair. His features were ordinary, but the confidence in his eyes was almost arrogant. He looked down on them like they were nothing.
But what truly stunned the Feng brothers was the young woman beside him.
A faint smile lingered on her face, her eyes bright and enchanting. Even without using any charm ability, her beauty was enough to make the brothers forget to breathe.
They'd never seen a girl this breathtaking.
Dugu Feng narrowed his eyes. Xie Yue… and Hu Liena.
So, the Golden Generation had all arrived.
"Whether I can win or not," Dugu Feng said calmly, "we'll find out on the stage."
He was completely unaffected by Hu Liena's natural allure.
Her charm wasn't even directed at them; it was simply her innate trait, her every gesture, every glance, was subtly seductive.
The Feng brothers finally snapped out of it, glaring awkwardly at the pair.
Two more monsters from Spirit Hall.
They were only twelve years old and not even Spirit Elders yet. But if they had the same potential as Yan, their power already neared that of a Soul King.
"Not bad," Hu Liena said lightly, her tone carrying a faint, dreamlike echo. "But to beat Yan? You're still far too green. You look young—try not to cry on the stage."
"Enough talk," Xie Yue said coldly, brushing past them. "We'll see soon enough."
Hu Liena followed him inside, her silver hair swaying as she passed.
"Arrogant bastards!" Feng Ling growled. "Brother Dugu, when you beat that Yan, I want to see how smug they'll look then!"
"Exactly!" Feng Li fumed. "Anyone passing by would think this is Spirit Hall Academy, not Heaven Dou Imperial!"
"Let them be," Ge Ying chuckled, hands clasped behind his back. "They're right about one thing—the higher the fall, the harder the crash.
"In three days, we'll make sure it's their turn to fall hard."
Dugu Feng's lips curved slightly.
The Golden Generation, huh?
Let's see just how bright your light really is.