Inside the black box sat a silver interior divided neatly into three layers.
On each layer rested an ominous, glimmering black needle. They did not shine like metal but seemed to absorb all light around them, exuding a gloomy aura that made one's skin crawl. They weren't quite objects anymore—more like whispers of death incarnate, patiently waiting for prey.
Their sharp points trembled almost imperceptibly, releasing a subtle, sinister energy that made everyone present shiver.
Tang San's sudden cry broke through the silence.
"Teacher, please—stop!"
He snapped the lid shut with his sleeve, moving so swiftly even Subei could tell the panic in the boy's heart was genuine. Tang San huddled over the box protectively, his young features deadly solemn.
"The Yama Nail is extremely toxic. Even the slightest touch—to bare skin—will send poison racing through the blood. Within breaths, the corrosion devours flesh. Within moments… the victim melts into pus and dies."
Even his voice sounded older than his years.
Dugu Bo scoffed, lips curling in disbelief. "So exaggerated? Hmph. Don't think your childish tricks can scare this old man."
Subei, however, grew wary. He trusted Tang San's solemnity more than the Poison Douluo's pride. Becoming careless around something with such a sinister aura could cost dearly. Even if he had cheats, dying foolishly early would be pathetic.
So he silently consulted. "Xiao Ai, this S-rank Poison Resistance you granted me—is it really absolute? If I touch this Tang Sect Yama Nail, is there even a sliver of risk?"
The system voice answered sweetly.
"Dear host, all toxins originating from Douluo Continent fall under this immunity. Since Tang San crafts these weapons from Douluo's ingredients, their essence cannot surpass your resistance. Unless he borrowed venom of a higher-dimensional world beyond Douluo, all poisons here are meaningless."
Relief washed over him. Good. I knew my golden fingers wouldn't lie.
Without hesitation, Subei reached out and seized Tang San's thin wrist. His tone was calm, almost chastising. "I told you already, it's fine. Don't you believe your teacher?"
The warmth of that grip spread up Tang San's arm. He froze.
This was the very hand he had dreamt of holding countless times. Long fingers, elegant yet strong, wrapping snugly around his fragile wrist. If only time could stop here forever….
But he knew reality was harsh. Dreams like that could not be caged.
His lashes trembled as he lowered his gaze and forced a smile. "I… I know Teacher has countless hidden cards. Perhaps you do possess ways to resist poison… but still, this Yama Nail is too vicious! Better to let your disciple present it, rather than Teacher risk danger yourself."
His words carried pride. Pride in his Tang Sect heritage. No matter how talented Teacher was, no matter how beautiful or otherworldly, Tang San clung to that one edge: poison and hidden weapons. That is where I, Tang San, surpass anyone.
For what kind of ethereal immortal would willingly handle venom? Teacher likely disdained such things. Subei wielded majesty, elegance, and sunlight. How could concealed weapons and foul toxins taint his image?
No. Poison was Tang San's domain. I alone will bear this darkness, to guard my bright teacher from it.
"Good boy," Dugu Bo chuckled with eerie amusement. "You speak confidently. But I, too, love poison—like kin. And I don't believe such a child's bauble can hold danger I cannot overcome. Let me test this Yama Nail personally. If it truly costs me my life… I'd still accept it."
His eyes gleamed with fanatic light. Yes. Poison is my true love. To die by it would even be poetic.
Before Tang San or Subei reacted, the old douluo's weathered hand had snatched the black box. His sharp soul senses prickled at the powerful venom radiating from the seemingly lifeless nail.
The needle quivered, almost playful, as if mocking his curiosity.
"Good fellow…" Dugu Bo muttered, lowering his finger boldly toward the gleaming dark barb.
He never fully touched it. Just before contact—
His fingernail turned black.
Instantly the decay spread down the skin, cracking with sizzling corrosion. Pain exploded like fire.
"—!!"
His proud laugh broke into a gasp. Throwing the box away in shock, Dugu Bo slashed with brutal decisiveness, slicing the rotting flesh clean from his finger before the venom could spread.
But even so, the black Qi had already pierced through his veins like living shadow serpents, sprinting mercilessly toward his heart. His face tightened with panic for the first time in decades.
The mighty Poison Douluo—undone by the touch of a child's weapon.
He crashed into a seated position, soul power flaring madly to force back the invasive force. Sweat poured down his wrinkled brow. How could it be this monstrous?
Dugu Yan gasped and tore a strip from her robe, binding his bleeding hand, voice choked. "Grandfather!"
But the nail wasn't done.
As it clattered from the box, it shimmered once, like waking, and shot forward like a streaking black arrow, aimed directly at the palace guards.
The guards reacted instantly, summoning soul rings and releasing defenses. Their blades met air. The Yama Nail didn't even hesitate, phasing clean through energy barriers, headed dead for her chest.
Because that was the Yama Nail's horror.
① No antidote under heaven.
② Once released, it pierces everything. Neither soul power nor barriers can slow its flight.
Death with no counter.
"Damn—!"
Subei moved faster than thought. His figure blurred into a streak. Leaping into the air, he kicked off empty space itself. His hand darted forward, grasp closing around the speeding death-needle in midair.
His other hand snatched the tumbling black box, locking the remaining two Nails safely inside before they could activate.
A perfect interception.
The hall went dead silent. Slowly, Subei descended, open palm revealing the trembling Yama Nail sitting obediently within. Cool, unbothered eyes glanced at its edge like one inspecting a toy.
Tang San screamed in despair. "Teacher, no! That thing will kill you!"
Dugu Bo, still struggling against his own invaded blood, widened his eyes. He barely survived a brush. Yet this boy had brazenly grabbed the Yama Nail whole?!
Yan'er's breath caught in utter horror. Her small hands clutched her chest, frozen between panic and faint hope. If anything happens to His Highness… I will not live on either. Life and death together.
But the calmest was Subei himself.
"Stop being so dramatic," he muttered wryly, lifting his hand. "See?"
The black barb lay quivering in his palm, no harm done.
Tang San's voice broke half into a sob, half disbelief. "Te-Teacher…? You… you're fine?"
He sprinted in frantic circles, tugging at Subei's arm, checking his robes, craning to check his eyes, his lips, his face—searching for any black corrosion or boiling rashes of poison.
Nothing.
Absolutely unblemished.
A slow smoke, white and faint, hissed up from where the Nail touched skin. It sizzled and spat like venom poured against protected steel. But instead of consuming, the toxin itself was withering.
Like frost touched by sunlight.
Tang San's purple eyes bulged. The hidden art of Yama had never failed. His own Xuan Yu Hands had nearly melted clean through from handling it. Yet Teacher treated it as nothing greater than a small hot pebble, with only mild annoyance on his face.
Dugu Bo stared, lips dry and pale. "Th-this… this isn't toxin attack… it's… elimination."
His voice cracked into awe. "The Yama Poison is dissolving. Eradicated. Gone."
Shakily, he stood, leaning against Yan'er. His trembling gaze locked on Subei as if beholding some divine relic.
"Peerless talent. Medicinal divinity! You… you carry the constitution of the God of Medicine…" His laughter turned nearly hysterical. "Heh… no wonder! No poison can harm you. No venom can remain!"
Tang San fell heavily to his knees, forehead pressed to the ground. "Forgive me, Teacher! Xiao San was blind to doubt you. Teacher is no mortal—Teacher is a divine man unmatched beneath the heavens! From this moment on, Xiao San will devote his life to you. Willing to work till death!"
The boy's words trembled with feverish devotion.
Dugu Bo chuckled bitterly to himself. He, the famed Poison Douluo, master of venomous arts for decades, was eclipsed by an eight-year-old child's unshakable natural gift. It's laughable. I spent a lifetime walking this knife's edge pursuing poison. And yet, here stands true immunity incarnate. My lifelong pursuit—outdone effortlessly.
And even more frighteningly, not just Teacher him. Tang San, too, had crafted weapons potent enough to wound him—a titled douluo.
Two children, one the walking bane of poison, the other a poison genius. This old bag of bones really is outdated.
His eyes softened as he looked at Yan'er. Perhaps… perhaps relying upon these children was not shameful. Perhaps his granddaughter's future truly lay with them. One bright, one dark, together dazzling the world.
He moved Dugu Yan by the shoulder and pushed her forward into Subei's orbit, his own expression suddenly serious.
"Temple Lord Subei… Though you are still so young, I see wisdom beyond years and qualities I can trust. From this day, I place my granddaughter into your hands. Promise me you will not discard her. No matter how many women gather around your side—and there will be many, I know—you cannot neglect her. If you betray her, even if I must die for it, I will ensure you pay in blood."
His words carried the full weight of an elder's love. His silhouette, retreating beneath golden sunlight, looked both lonely and dignified.
Yan'er's eyes blurred. "Grandfather…"
Her only relative, the pillar of her childhood… handing her away.
Subei chuckled gently, stepping forward. "Ah, Grandpa Dugu, why speak so final? Shenyan Hall is open to you always. If you miss Sister Yan, I'll order all guards to permit immediate visit. And don't worry, I swear—such a lovely Sister Yan, I would be too shy to ever take indecent advantage!"
Dugu Bo nearly collapsed at the word Grandpa. The boy changed his address with terrifying speed! But oddly, warmth bloomed in his tired chest. If my granddaughter is entrusted to such a lively brat… maybe it won't be so bad.
He laughed bitterly at his fate and left without looking back.
Yan'er, cheeks red, nudged Subei with watery eyes. "Your Highness speaks sweetly when you want…" Then she nestled lightly against his side.
Tang San's eyes twitched, envy piercing his chest like a dozen hidden crossbows. Teacher… already holding another beauty! Truly too skilled…
But the more beauties encircled Teacher, the more lost Tang San felt. He clenched fists silently.
Then I must earn his attention. No matter what it takes.
But how? He stole glances at Yan'er dollishly leaning at Subei's shoulder, at the subtle curve of her body, at the affection sparkling between them. And realization struck, ludicrous yet absolute in his naïve mind:
Teacher only loves women. Not men.
Then… if he wanted love—he must become a woman!
(╭╯^╰╮)
If Subei could read Tang San's spiraling thoughts, he would have wept. For god's sake, I'm running a Male God Achievement System, not Female God cosplay! I don't accept turning disciples into wives. No fencing allowed!
Yet Tang San's eyes burned with stubborn resolve nonetheless.
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