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Chapter 119: A Duel Between Poison Experts
"Not interested."
Hearing Sun Zhongjing express his desire to have a duel of poisons with him, Dugu Bo, who believed Sun Zhongjing couldn't solve his own poisoning problem, was clearly uninterested. He turned his head and started to leave, not even in the mood to dwell on the verbal offense from earlier.
"In such a hurry to leave? Don't you want to cure the poison in your body?"
The words from behind stopped Dugu Bo in his tracks. He instantly turned around, his eyes fixed on Sun Zhongjing, and asked in a hoarse voice, "You can cure it?"
"..."
But Sun Zhongjing merely stroked his long beard, smiling as he looked at him, remaining silent.
"Alright, I'll spar with you!"
Dugu Bo gave him a deep look and nodded in agreement.
"We can't really unleash ourselves here; let's go somewhere else!" Dugu Bo said, moving his feet, transforming into a green blur as he flew outwards.
During combat, especially for soul masters who use poison, the impact and coverage they can have on the surrounding environment are immense. Therefore, even Dugu Bo knew they couldn't spar within Heaven Dou City, or they would easily offend the Royal Family. After all, fighting, releasing poison, destroying buildings, and causing mass casualties near where people live was one thing, but just clearing the residual toxins would be troublesome. If the poison were to spread and harm someone from the Royal Family, it would be over for him.
Although Dugu Bo wasn't afraid of the Royal Family, he couldn't possibly oppose an entire empire without reason. No one would do such a thankless task.
They traveled rapidly.
Dugu Bo took a moment to look back and nearly jumped in surprise. He saw the white-haired, white-bearded old man leisurely following behind him. He didn't seem to be struggling at all.
This made him realize that Sun Zhongjing's strength was likely even greater than he had imagined. He was definitely not as simple as just a Soul Emperor or Soul Saint. Perhaps he was a Soul Douluo, or even a Titled Douluo.
However, the stronger Sun Zhongjing's strength was, the more Dugu Bo believed what he said about being able to cure his illness. After all, this implied higher credibility.
The two, one in front and one behind, soon arrived at the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
This was the wilderness, and as such, it was rarely trodden by humans.
"Alright, tell me how you want to compete."
Dugu Bo stopped and turned to look at him.
"Since it's a contest of poisons, we'll naturally try to poison each other. Whoever succumbs to a poison first, or cannot neutralize it, loses," Sun Zhongjing said with a smile.
"Fine, that's indeed the simplest method."
Dugu Bo nodded in agreement.
And so, the duel began!
Sun Zhongjing casually found a large green stone to sit on, then retrieved a musical instrument from his storage soul tool.
It was an antique erhu.
It was evident that this instrument was quite old.
Dugu Bo was utterly bewildered.
Didn't we agree on a duel of poisons? What do you mean by taking out an erhu?
"Don't mind me; just unleash your methods."
While gently tuning the erhu in his hands, Sun Zhongjing said calmly, "Let this old man see what brilliant moves the renowned Poison Douluo has."
"Good! Then take this!"
Dugu Bo was clearly angered by his nonchalant attitude. He had dominated the Soul Master world for many years, striking fear into countless soul masters; when had he ever been so underestimated?
With a cold snort, he flicked his right middle finger lightly towards Sun Zhongjing, who was still tuning, and a pale green mist sprayed out.
Dugu Bo was indeed a Titled Douluo among Poison Soul Masters; although afflicted by his own poison, he still had some tricks up his sleeve. What seemed like a simple application of poison, the green mist that sprayed out dispersed in an instant, perfectly enveloping Sun Zhongjing's body.
Yet, in the midst of the poison mist, Sun Zhongjing appeared completely unaffected, continuing to adjust the strings of the erhu in his hands.
Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment. The scene before him clearly did not align with his research on poisons. Sun Zhongjing had clearly inhaled the poison mist and should have been poisoned. Yet, he seemed completely unaffected.
Soon, as the green mist dissipated, Sun Zhongjing's body showed no changes, with not the slightest sign of being poisoned.
Although the green mist released by Dugu Bo was merely a probing attack that could be easily dispelled, for Sun Zhongjing to resolve it so effortlessly was beyond his expectations. A surge of competitiveness was roused within him.
"Very well, this old man admits I underestimated you."
Dugu Bo flipped his palm, and a small, emerald snake appeared in it. The snake's body was almost transparent, about five inches long, with an ethereal green glow flowing within. Its pair of crimson eyes made it look especially adorable.
On its green body, there were nine bamboo-like horizontal patterns. This type of snake was a supreme grade among Bamboo Leaf Green snakes, the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite! Its venom was incredibly potent; anyone struck by its poison would dissolve into a puddle of pus and die within moments. Although its size seemed small, it was one of the most venomous snake species. Moreover, its body was tougher than fine steel, making it difficult for sharp blades to harm.
"Go!"
Dugu Bo held the tiny Nine-Sectioned Jadeite in his hand and let out a low growl. Immediately, the small snake transformed into a green blur, shot out like lightning, and quickly landed on Sun Zhongjing, then bit down on his wrist!
Its sharp fangs easily pierced the skin, leaving two small puncture wounds on his wrist, from which fresh blood seeped out.
With a successful strike, the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite, showing no desire to linger, shot back again, transforming into a green blur and flying back to its master's hand.
After Dugu Bo recalled the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite, he stared intently at Sun Zhongjing, wanting to see how he would neutralize the poison of the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite. However, he soon discovered that Sun Zhongjing, who had clearly been bitten by the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite and should have been poisoned, looked completely fine. If not for the two clear fang marks on his arm, he would have suspected that the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite hadn't injected any venom into his body at all.
"You... how are you fine?" he couldn't help but ask. "Are you not poisoned?"
"This little bit of poison can't harm me."
Sun Zhongjing, who was concentrating on tuning his strings, replied without lifting his head.
Dugu Bo's face twitched. Immediately, the light of soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and nine soul rings floated up and down around his body. A phantom of a great emerald snake appeared behind him, looking sinister and vicious!
"I admit you have a knack for detoxification. What came before was just an appetizer. The poison this old man is about to unleash is something even I cannot fully control. If you continue to be so dismissive, don't blame me if you die!" The poison Dugu Bo was about to unleash was his innate venom, a toxin belonging to the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King. Empowered by his cultivation, the intensity of this potent poison was already foreseeable.
"Please, proceed."
Sun Zhongjing finally finished tuning his strings. He slowly raised his head and spoke calmly.
Seeing his well-intentioned warning treated with such utter disregard, a cold glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. He thought, 'When a tiger doesn't bare its fangs, you must think it's a sick cat. Could the potent poison I've cultivated for so many years really be so easily neutralized by you?'
(end of chapter)
"Not interested."
Hearing Sun Zhongjing express his desire to have a duel of poisons with him, Dugu Bo, who believed Sun Zhongjing couldn't solve his own poisoning problem, was clearly uninterested. He turned his head and started to leave, not even in the mood to dwell on the verbal offense from earlier.
"In such a hurry to leave? Don't you want to cure the poison in your body?"
The words from behind stopped Dugu Bo in his tracks. He instantly turned around, his eyes fixed on Sun Zhongjing, and asked in a hoarse voice, "You can cure it?"
"..."
But Sun Zhongjing merely stroked his long beard, smiling as he looked at him, remaining silent.
"Alright, I'll spar with you!"
Dugu Bo gave him a deep look and nodded in agreement.
"We can't really unleash ourselves here; let's go somewhere else!" Dugu Bo said, moving his feet, transforming into a green blur as he flew outwards.
During combat, especially for soul masters who use poison, the impact and coverage they can have on the surrounding environment are immense. Therefore, even Dugu Bo knew they couldn't spar within Heaven Dou City, or they would easily offend the Royal Family. After all, fighting, releasing poison, destroying buildings, and causing mass casualties near where people live was one thing, but just clearing the residual toxins would be troublesome. If the poison were to spread and harm someone from the Royal Family, it would be over for him.
Although Dugu Bo wasn't afraid of the Royal Family, he couldn't possibly oppose an entire empire without reason. No one would do such a thankless task.
They traveled rapidly.
Dugu Bo took a moment to look back and nearly jumped in surprise. He saw the white-haired, white-bearded old man leisurely following behind him. He didn't seem to be struggling at all.
This made him realize that Sun Zhongjing's strength was likely even greater than he had imagined. He was definitely not as simple as just a Soul Emperor or Soul Saint. Perhaps he was a Soul Douluo, or even a Titled Douluo.
However, the stronger Sun Zhongjing's strength was, the more Dugu Bo believed what he said about being able to cure his illness. After all, this implied higher credibility.
The two, one in front and one behind, soon arrived at the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
This was the wilderness, and as such, it was rarely trodden by humans.
"Alright, tell me how you want to compete."
Dugu Bo stopped and turned to look at him.
"Since it's a contest of poisons, we'll naturally try to poison each other. Whoever succumbs to a poison first, or cannot neutralize it, loses," Sun Zhongjing said with a smile.
"Fine, that's indeed the simplest method."
Dugu Bo nodded in agreement.
And so, the duel began!
Sun Zhongjing casually found a large green stone to sit on, then retrieved a musical instrument from his storage soul tool.
It was an antique erhu.
It was evident that this instrument was quite old.
Dugu Bo was utterly bewildered.
Didn't we agree on a duel of poisons? What do you mean by taking out an erhu?
"Don't mind me; just unleash your methods."
While gently tuning the erhu in his hands, Sun Zhongjing said calmly, "Let this old man see what brilliant moves the renowned Poison Douluo has."
"Good! Then take this!"
Dugu Bo was clearly angered by his nonchalant attitude. He had dominated the Soul Master world for many years, striking fear into countless soul masters; when had he ever been so underestimated?
With a cold snort, he flicked his right middle finger lightly towards Sun Zhongjing, who was still tuning, and a pale green mist sprayed out.
Dugu Bo was indeed a Titled Douluo among Poison Soul Masters; although afflicted by his own poison, he still had some tricks up his sleeve. What seemed like a simple application of poison, the green mist that sprayed out dispersed in an instant, perfectly enveloping Sun Zhongjing's body.
Yet, in the midst of the poison mist, Sun Zhongjing appeared completely unaffected, continuing to adjust the strings of the erhu in his hands.
Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment. The scene before him clearly did not align with his research on poisons. Sun Zhongjing had clearly inhaled the poison mist and should have been poisoned. Yet, he seemed completely unaffected.
Soon, as the green mist dissipated, Sun Zhongjing's body showed no changes, with not the slightest sign of being poisoned.
Although the green mist released by Dugu Bo was merely a probing attack that could be easily dispelled, for Sun Zhongjing to resolve it so effortlessly was beyond his expectations. A surge of competitiveness was roused within him.
"Very well, this old man admits I underestimated you."
Dugu Bo flipped his palm, and a small, emerald snake appeared in it. The snake's body was almost transparent, about five inches long, with an ethereal green glow flowing within. Its pair of crimson eyes made it look especially adorable.
On its green body, there were nine bamboo-like horizontal patterns. This type of snake was a supreme grade among Bamboo Leaf Green snakes, the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite! Its venom was incredibly potent; anyone struck by its poison would dissolve into a puddle of pus and die within moments. Although its size seemed small, it was one of the most venomous snake species. Moreover, its body was tougher than fine steel, making it difficult for sharp blades to harm.
"Go!"
Dugu Bo held the tiny Nine-Sectioned Jadeite in his hand and let out a low growl. Immediately, the small snake transformed into a green blur, shot out like lightning, and quickly landed on Sun Zhongjing, then bit down on his wrist!
Its sharp fangs easily pierced the skin, leaving two small puncture wounds on his wrist, from which fresh blood seeped out.
With a successful strike, the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite, showing no desire to linger, shot back again, transforming into a green blur and flying back to its master's hand.
After Dugu Bo recalled the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite, he stared intently at Sun Zhongjing, wanting to see how he would neutralize the poison of the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite. However, he soon discovered that Sun Zhongjing, who had clearly been bitten by the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite and should have been poisoned, looked completely fine. If not for the two clear fang marks on his arm, he would have suspected that the Nine-Sectioned Jadeite hadn't injected any venom into his body at all.
"You... how are you fine?" he couldn't help but ask. "Are you not poisoned?"
"This little bit of poison can't harm me."
Sun Zhongjing, who was concentrating on tuning his strings, replied without lifting his head.
Dugu Bo's face twitched. Immediately, the light of soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and nine soul rings floated up and down around his body. A phantom of a great emerald snake appeared behind him, looking sinister and vicious!
"I admit you have a knack for detoxification. What came before was just an appetizer. The poison this old man is about to unleash is something even I cannot fully control. If you continue to be so dismissive, don't blame me if you die!" The poison Dugu Bo was about to unleash was his innate venom, a toxin belonging to the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King. Empowered by his cultivation, the intensity of this potent poison was already foreseeable.
"Please, proceed."
Sun Zhongjing finally finished tuning his strings. He slowly raised his head and spoke calmly.
Seeing his well-intentioned warning treated with such utter disregard, a cold glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. He thought, 'When a tiger doesn't bare its fangs, you must think it's a sick cat. Could the potent poison I've cultivated for so many years really be so easily neutralized by you?'
(end of chapter)
