Poison Douluo Exchanges Grass for Combat Skill (Part 2)

In the valley of poisonous creatures within Sunset Forest, Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed, following the methods described in the "幽毒" scroll. He circulated his Soul Power, guiding the Bioluminescent Purple Mist poison within his body towards his dantian. In the past, these toxins were unruly, and even a slight lapse in attention would cause them to erode his meridians. However, under the guidance of the "幽毒" cultivation technique, they obediently condensed into a light purple gaseous mass, interspersed with black patterns. This was the "Poison Battle Qi."

The Poison Battle Qi swirled in his dantian, flowing slowly along his meridians. Wherever it passed, the meridians, previously blackened by the toxins, began to repair themselves, emitting a faint luster. His Soul Power also stirred in response. Dugu Bo rejoiced inwardly, increasing his Soul Power output and guiding the Poison Battle Qi to break through the bottleneck at level 91.

"Boom!"

Three days later, at dawn, a powerful aura erupted from the valley. Pale purple poison mist shot into the sky, forming a massive pillar of light that even shook the miasma outside the valley into scattering. Dugu Bo's eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing within them. His Soul Power had directly broken through to level 93! What surprised him even more was that the poison within his body not only didn't backlash but instead fused with the Poison Battle Qi, becoming more refined and releasing several times faster than before.

"Hahaha! This old man has finally broken through!" Dugu Bo roared with laughter, his voice shaking the poisonous grasses in the valley into rustling. His figure flickered, and he appeared in the open space outside the valley. He raised his hand and unleashed his Soul Skill, "Bioluminescent Purple Mist." The pale purple mist instantly spread, covering a radius of a hundred meters. Black Poison Battle Qi was mixed within the mist. The ground that came into contact with the mist turned scorched black in an instant, and even hard rocks were corroded, forming small holes.

He then tried circulating the movement technique from "Ghostly Poison." With a stomp of his feet on the ground, his body transformed into a purple shadow, moving rapidly across the open space, leaving behind afterimages. His speed had increased threefold! More terrifyingly, he attached the Poison Battle Qi to his Soul Bone Skill, "Spatial Transfer." Originally, it could only teleport short distances, but now he could instantly move a hundred meters away, and even his Soul Power consumption was halved!

"With this Combat Skill, this old man is no longer the weakest Titled Douluo!" Dugu Bo clenched his fist, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "Those who mocked this old man before should pay the price!" He looked up in the direction of Martial Soul City, a cold smile curving his lips. "Moon Guan, Ghost Douluo, you wait. This old man will soon let you know who the true Titled Douluo is!"

News spread like wings across Douluo Continent – after cultivating the "幽毒" Combat Skill, Dugu Bo not only broke through to level 93 but could also amplify his poison tenfold and triple his speed, his strength comparable to a level 97 Titled Douluo!

The major powers were in an uproar. On the plaza of Shrek Academy, Flender, holding the intelligence report, dropped his pipe. His voice trembled, "A Yellow Tier high-grade Combat Skill allowed someone from level 91 to break through to 93, and it can even suppress a level 97? If Tang San could obtain a Combat Skill like this, wouldn't he be able to directly challenge Titled Douluo across ranks?"

Tang San stood beside him, his heart filled with shock. He had been saving points to exchange for a Yellow Tier Combat Skill, but now it seemed the potential of Combat Skills far exceeded his imagination. He wanted to share this shock with Xiao Wu, but when he turned, he saw Xiao Wu staring in the direction of the auction house, her eyes full of longing, clutching a "Combat Skill Fragment" she had just redeemed.

"Xiao Wu, look at the news about Senior Dugu Bo's breakthrough. Combat Skills are really amazing. If we work a little harder, we'll soon be able to redeem Combat Skills suitable for us," Tang San said with a smile, reaching out to hold Xiao Wu's hand.

But Xiao Wu subconsciously took a step back, avoiding his hand, and replied perfunctorily, "Mm, it's very powerful. I heard the auction house will be releasing 'movement-type Combat Skills' next week. I want to save points for that, so I can run faster if I encounter danger in the future." As she spoke, her gaze returned to the Combat Skill Fragment in her hand, the longing in her eyes even stronger than when she looked at Tang San.

Tang San's hand froze in mid-air, a sense of loss welling up in his heart. Ever since the Combat Skill Ranking appeared, Xiao Wu had changed. Before, she was always clinging to him, and he was the first person she thought of when something happened. But now, she spent her days researching Combat Skill information from the auction house, brushing for points in the simulation arena whenever she had free time, and even had less time to talk to him. The last time he wanted to analyze the weaknesses of a virtual monster with her, she had said, "The auction house's guide is more detailed," and turned to read the manual released by the auction house.

"Xiao Wu, do you think... Combat Skills are more important than me?" Tang San hesitated for a long time before finally asking.

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then shook her head. "Tang San, don't overthink it. I just think Combat Skills can make me stronger. Look at Senior Dugu Bo; he was so weak before, but with a Combat Skill, he became so powerful. I want to become stronger too and not always be protected by you." She spoke frankly but didn't notice the disappointment in Tang San's eyes. What she wanted was "to become strong herself," not "to become strong together with him."

Tang San looked at Xiao Wu's profile, sighing inwardly. He could feel that the distance between them was being slowly widened by the "new power" brought by the auction house. He could only tell himself in his heart: It's okay. When he also redeems a Combat Skill and becomes stronger, Xiao Wu will rely on him again.

In the Elder Hall of Martial Soul Hall, Moon Guan trembled with anger as he looked at the intelligence report handed to him by his subordinate. The chrysanthemum staff in his hand slammed onto the ground with a "bang," and golden Soul Power splashed, igniting sparks. "That old monster Dugu Bo, he's only obtained a Yellow Tier Combat Skill, and he dares to be so arrogant!"

As a level 95 Titled Douluo, he had previously been instantly killed by a level 95 Puppet, which was already a great humiliation. Now, even Dugu Bo, the "weakest Titled Douluo," could suppress a level 97. If this got out, where would his Chrysanthemum Douluo's face be? "This old man wants to see how powerful his Combat Skill is! If even this old man can't defeat him, then that so-called 'Combat Skill' is nothing more than a gimmick!"

That afternoon, Moon Guan led a hundred disciples of Martial Soul Hall and arrived mightily outside Sunset Forest. He shouted towards the valley, "Dugu Bo! Get out here! Do you dare to fight me? If you don't dare, then don't brag about how powerful you are outside!"

In the valley, Dugu Bo heard Moon Guan's voice and a cold smile curved his lips. "I was just looking for someone to test my skills on, and you've come right to my doorstep!" His figure flickered, and he instantly appeared before Moon Guan. Pale purple Poison Battle Qi swirled around him, forming a thin protective shield. He looked down at Moon Guan with disdain. "Moon Guan, you are no match for this old man. Go back, lest you lose and embarrass Martial Soul Hall."

"Arrogant!" Moon Guan roared. His Martial Soul, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, instantly manifested. Nine Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet: the first two yellow, two purple, and five black. His Soul Power fluctuations spread outwards, forcing the surrounding Martial Soul Hall disciples to their knees. "This old man wants to see if your Yellow Tier Combat Skill can withstand my Ninth Soul Skill!"