After many twists and turns, the two entered a dimly lit room.
The center of the room was empty, surrounded by clay jars. Dugu Feng naturally recognized these familiar jars—each undoubtedly contained some kind of poison.
Since his Martial Soul hadn't awakened yet, how exactly was he supposed to train? Dugu Feng was very curious.
In the middle of the room were two cushions. Old Snake immediately sat cross-legged on one and gestured for Dugu Feng to do the same.
The two sat facing each other. Dugu Feng didn't feel much shorter than Old Snake—when he raised his head, his gaze met Old Snake's chin.
Gurgle.
Dugu Feng's expression shifted—he was hungry.
He had been brought to Dugu Bo's residence early in the morning, then spent half the day in the ancestral hall. He was long past hungry.
"Young Master, you're hungry."
Old Snake's lips twitched slightly, as if he'd been waiting for Dugu Feng to feel hunger. "Serpent-type Spirit Beasts are the most enduring against hunger among all Spirit Beasts. The bamboo viper, which most resembles the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, can survive up to forty-two months without food. Enduring hunger is a cultivation method to awaken the talents of our Martial Souls."
Dugu Feng was stunned. He had thought Old Snake would bring him some food, but instead, he was being told to starve.
With his knowledge of Spirit Beasts, he knew Old Snake was telling the truth.
But this could also be used for cultivation?
No wonder you're so short—you must have starved as a child!
"If you don't eat enough, lack nutrition, and don't have a strong body, wouldn't that make it even harder to unleash the power of the Martial Soul?" Dugu Feng muttered. Though it was a challenge, his voice was low and devoid of emotion—this was his predecessor's style, and he was mimicking it perfectly after merging with the memories.
"It's good that the Young Master has his own understanding. Not like my foolish son—so stupid he can't grasp anything. You wouldn't believe it—he learns about Spirit Beasts today and forgets it all tomorrow." Old Snake's voice was calm, but he rambled on and on without pause.
Dugu Feng's face remained expressionless. Damn it, this guy's a chatterbox.
It seemed Old Snake wasn't going to give him any food.
Dugu Feng wisely shut his mouth, closed his eyes, and lay down, curling into a ball.
"Oh? You already understand how to conserve energy to last longer? Truly worthy of being the Young Master." Old Snake was inwardly surprised. When his own son had first started training, he had cried and screamed when hungry—only after being disciplined with the "Rod of Truth" did he behave.
Ah, what a shame I can't use the Rod of Truth on him...
Old Snake smacked his lips and also lay down. Despite his dwarf-like stature, when curled up, his length was about the same as Dugu Feng's.
In an instant, Old Snake's breathing ceased entirely. Upon closer inspection, even the fine hairs on his skin had drooped.
He had entered complete stillness—like a snake in hibernation.
Dugu Feng had fully assimilated his predecessor's memories and could guess the purpose of this training: to awaken the innate talents of a Beast Martial Soul.
This was undoubtedly a systematic cultivation method of the Dugu family. It wouldn't change just because he complained a little.
And then there was that terrifyingly insane father of his.
He didn't dare resist.
Besides, he had been itching to examine the pearl in his dantian—he had no idea what it did.
The moment he closed his eyes, he saw it.
This pearl was all too familiar to him. Before his transmigration, he had always carried it with him—it was made of high-quality white jade.
Now, seeing this pearl again, two words instantly flashed through his mind.
"Core Pearl!"
This ancestral treasure pearl had become the Core Pearl of his Azure Phosphorus Serpent Spirit. His Martial Soul hadn't even awakened yet, but the Core Pearl had already manifested!
Dugu Bo's Core Pearl only formed after his Jade Phosphorous Serpent evolved into a Serpent Empress.
Yet I already have one now, this... this...
Dugu Feng was overwhelmed with excitement.
But soon, he noticed something unusual—the Core Pearl was hollow inside. In other words, the pearl had successfully condensed, but the energy within still needed to be gathered by himself.
The Core Pearl spun smoothly, its white radiance shimmering.
Suddenly, a flash of green light nearly made Dugu Feng jump.
At the very bottom of the Core Pearl's interior, he spotted a trace of green.
When Dugu Feng focused on this wisp of green, he detected a faint sweetness. He immediately understood—this was the Azure Phosphorus Serpent Venom.
Though the venom smelled foul when expelled, while inside a soul master's body, it was part of their physiology and thus carried a sweet fragrance.
It seemed part of the Core Pearl's composition was venom—it could absorb toxins.
Dugu Feng was in high spirits. With the Core Pearl, he now had the confidence to resist potent poisons.
"Gurgle!"
His good mood was interrupted by another growl from his stomach.
Then a chill swept over him—hunger was accompanied by cold.
With insufficient energy in his body and surrounded by jars of poisonous substances in the room, Dugu Feng felt an eerie, bone-deep coldness.
The next moment, as the Core Pearl rotated, a warm sensation rose from his lower abdomen. A wave of heat spread through his limbs, bringing him slight relief.
At least he wasn't as cold anymore.
Memories flashed incessantly through Dugu Feng's mind as he tried to distract himself.
Countless images appeared, like scenes from a movie.
As he watched, his breathing gradually evened out, and he fell asleep.
Old Snake quickly glanced at him and couldn't help but smile wryly. After all, he was just a four-year-old child—all this excitement must have exhausted him.
Sssssss...
A faint hissing sound reached Dugu Feng's ears. He turned over, intending to continue sleeping.
Hmm... Dugu Feng felt something cold against his neck.
His nose twitched—a fishy smell?
He bolted upright, eyes widening in shock. A bright green snake was coiled around him.
The snake's back was vivid green, its belly a lighter shade, and its head triangular, covered in scales the size of fingernails. Clear white stripes ran along the sides of its belly, and its body was no longer than two meters—this was a juvenile bamboo pit viper.
Dugu Feng instantly recognized it.
Oh no, this is bad.
While he was sound asleep, the snake might have been assessing whether he was alive. Now that he'd moved, it would surely attack!
Ah!
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Dugu Feng felt a sharp pain in his neck.
"Juvenile bamboo pit viper, about as thick as a thumb. Its upper jaw contains a pair of hollow fangs. When attacking, the fangs erect and pierce the enemy's skin, injecting venom into the bloodstream!"
Old Snake's voice rang out, infuriating Dugu Feng. You dwarf, you actually set a snake on me—and a venomous one at that!
He grabbed the snake just below its head. In his panic, he didn't have time to check if it was the right spot.
But his grip faltered—he couldn't muster enough strength.
Already weakened by hunger and having slept for so long, his body had no energy left.
Moreover, the bamboo pit viper's skin was coated with a slippery secretion, making it hard to hold onto.
The pain in his neck nearly made him faint.
"Young Master, weren't you hungry? This bamboo viper is your meal. You don't need to move—your blood and skin are your deadliest weapons."
"The Azure Phosphorus Serpent Venom is several times more toxic than this bamboo viper. It'll be dead soon from your poison!"
Old Snake spoke with complete seriousness.
Dugu Feng was stunned. Was this the cold-blooded nature of a serpent-type Martial Soul? Raising descendants like this...
Damn it.
Still, he wisely followed Old Snake's advice. He trusted that Old Snake wouldn't dare let him die.
(End of Chapter)