Douluo: Seven Asuras

After the meal, under Ning Fengzhi's gaze—one filled with both reluctance and pride—Ning Rongrong departed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Her return this time had been for the sake of acquiring Tang San's hidden weapons. Now that her father had approved the plan, she needed to rush back to expedite the delivery of the first batch.

Every moment saved could mean added safety for the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Sword Douluo sighed repeatedly.

"Rongrong has truly grown up..."

Several days later.

Once the containers Chen Feng requested were fully prepared, he set off with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo for Heaven Dou City.

The journey from Seven Treasure City to Heaven Dou wasn't long—departing in the morning, they arrived by afternoon.

On the way, Ning Fengzhi raised a concern:

"Our main goal this time is to see Poison Douluo, but I know Dugu Bo's temperament. Even though he has ties to the royal family, he's not someone who stays in Heaven Dou City for long."

Of course, Chen Feng already had a guess where Dugu Bo might be.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—Dugu Bo's hidden herb garden—wasn't just a garden. Its true purpose was to suppress the terrifying poison born from the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor, Dugu Bo's Martial Soul.

The venom was exceedingly dangerous, and as Dugu Bo's cultivation deepened, it would flare up more frequently. Every episode was like having his bones clawed at and his flesh devoured by thousands of ants—a pain so intense it was worse than death.

So if Dugu Bo wasn't in Heaven Dou City, he was most likely at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, researching antidotes to suppress his soul poison.

Yet even knowing this, Chen Feng insisted their first stop be Heaven Dou City, for one simple reason:

Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo's granddaughter, was at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

She was his greatest weakness.

By noon, the three of them arrived at Heaven Dou City.

Whether as the mentor to the crown prince or as the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi held a status of supreme privilege. The trio passed through checkpoints unhindered and soon arrived at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, located just outside the royal palace.

As the empire's premier training ground for soul masters, the Academy boasted an exceptional faculty. The Board of Elders—its ruling body—was composed of three Soul Douluo-level experts.

Since neither Ning Fengzhi nor Sword Douluo made any effort to conceal their presence, the three elder deans arrived almost immediately to greet them.

"Greetings, Sect Master Ning. Greetings, Sword Douluo."

Even as Soul Douluo themselves, the three bowed slightly out of respect.

The lead elder, Meng Shenji, possessed the Black Phantom Martial Soul and was both courteous and eloquent.

"We're honored by your presence, Sect Master Ning. Your visit brings great distinction to our academy."

"No need to be so formal, Elder Meng," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile. "We're just passing through and thought to stop in for a moment."

He exchanged a glance with Chen Feng, his meaning clear:

Kid, it's your show from here.

He and Sword Douluo were here primarily to back Chen Feng up. Dugu Bo had a notorious reputation—eccentric and temperamental. If they had sent Chen Feng alone, it was uncertain whether he'd even meet Dugu Bo. And if he did, it wouldn't be far-fetched for the man to kill a genius over a disagreement.

Receiving Ning Fengzhi's silent cue, Chen Feng cleared his throat, took a step forward, and asked:

"May I ask, elders—does your Academy currently have a student named Dugu Yan?"

Elder Meng's eyes narrowed.

"You're looking for Dugu Yan? Why?"

He glanced between Chen Feng and Ning Fengzhi, clearly puzzled as to why a child was speaking instead of the Sect Master.

Chen Feng cupped his fists respectfully.

"I do indeed have something to discuss with her. I came to help her… detoxify."

"Detoxify?" Meng Shenji raised a brow, confused. "You mean Dugu Yan is poisoned?"

The three elders exchanged skeptical glances before bursting into chuckles.

Meng Shenji said flatly:

"Do you even know who Dugu Yan is? Or what is her Martial Soul? She's a control-type poison specialist; her soul is the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor. If anyone can poison others, it's her. But being poisoned herself? That's laughable."

He thought Chen Feng was spouting nonsense.

But Chen Feng's next words only made things more absurd in their eyes:

Chen Feng nodded seriously.

"Of course I know. Dugu Yan is Poison Douluo Dugu Bo's granddaughter. That's exactly why I'm looking for her."

He paused, then added:

"In fact, not only is she poisoned—her grandfather is in an even worse state. His condition is critical, likely beyond saving if untreated."

"Enough!" Meng Shenji scolded.

"Where did this impudent child come from, spouting such outrageous lies? You are not to speak again."

As he spoke, he glanced toward Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo. It was only because Chen Feng was with them that his tone had remained civil. If Chen Feng had come alone, it would have gone quite differently.

"Ahem. Mind if I say something?" Sword Douluo suddenly interjected.

Meng Shenji was startled, but quickly nodded.

"Of course, Honored Douluo."

Sword Douluo pointed at Chen Feng.

"Let me introduce him properly. The young man standing before you is not some random loudmouth. He is the newly appointed honorary elder of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

"He? An elder?"

The three Soul Douluo elders stared at Chen Feng, eyes wide as saucers. Had anyone else made such a claim, they would've laughed out loud.

But coming from Sword Douluo, the words carried absolute weight.

Chen Feng cupped his fists again.

"Elders, I mean no disrespect. Dugu Yan is poisoned. And not just any poison—it's severe."

He looked directly at them and said clearly:

"Let me be frank. The toxin doesn't come from outside. It's from within—born from her very own Emerald Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul."

"Right now, Dugu Yan is still young. Her soul power is relatively low, so there's still a chance to cure her. But once she becomes a Soul King or Soul Emperor… then it may be too late."

The expressions of the three elders grew visibly more serious.

Chen Feng didn't sound like he was joking.

"Why not call Dugu Yan here and let him point out the poison in person?" one of the elders suggested.

Chen Feng nodded.

"Of course. And if we can contact Poison Douluo, even better. He can verify my claims on the spot."

"Hah. Dugu Bo is as elusive as a shadow," Meng Shenji muttered. "No one knows his whereabouts. But Dugu Yan is indeed still at the Academy."

He waved to his assistant.

"Someone, go summon Dugu Yan to the Elder Office immediately."

Turning back to the group, he gestured with a polite smile:

"You've all traveled far. Please, have some tea in the Elder Office while we wait for Dugu Yan to arrive."

"Much appreciated, Elder Meng," Ning Fengzhi said with a nod.

After a few pleasantries, the group made their way to the Elder Office under the three elders' guidance.

BANG!

Just as they'd taken their seats—before their chairs had even warmed—the door slammed open with a loud crash.

A burly, upright young man stormed in, his voice booming through the room:

"Who's been spreading lies about Yan Yan being poisoned?! Get out of here right now!"