The Dugu Family's very survival depended on the poison of the Jade Phosphor Snake.
If someone was born with the ability to counter this poison, wouldn't that mean they could do whatever they pleased to the Dugu Family once they grew stronger?
This was a mortal enemy!
Killing intent gradually rose in Dugu Bo's heart. He stood there casually, yet the invisible pressure radiating from him made the air around them seem to freeze.
Zhou Tong felt as though a mountain had been dropped on his back. He could barely breathe.
Zhou Tong's heart lurched. This old Dugu monster had such a twisted mind—he wanted to kill people at the slightest disagreement.
Facing the terrifying Poison Douluo, Zhou Tong could only circulate all his Soul Power and fight desperately against the pressure.
"Kid, what exactly can you do to counter the old man's snake venom?"
After his fury subsided, Dugu Bo began to reconsider. This kid was only a Soul Grandmaster, with little strength. Could he really counter the Jade Phosphor Snake's venom?
Dugu Bo withdrew his Soul Power pressure and examined Zhou Tong, looking him up and down. His eyes held a trace of confusion and anticipation as he tried to find anything unusual about him.
"This junior is Zhou Tong. Greetings, Poison Douluo."
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Zhou Tong bowed respectfully.
"Senior, my Martial Soul is the Thunderous Hell Vine, which naturally carries the power of lightning. Lightning inherently counters poison, so it can indeed be somewhat effective against ordinary toxins.
"But countering the poison of a Titled Douluo like you? That's impossible."
When Dugu Bo withdrew his Soul Power pressure, Zhou Tong secretly let out a breath of relief. This Old Poison had a terrible temper—he wanted to kill people at the slightest disagreement.
He hadn't grown strong yet. It was best to be cautious around an eccentric old man like this.
At his words, a flicker of surprise crossed Dugu Bo's cloudy eyes. So it was a lightning-attribute Martial Soul. Such Martial Souls naturally had some ability to counter poison, which made sense.
Wasn't the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon a lightning-attribute Beast Martial Soul?
Although it carried the power of lightning and could suppress a Jade Phosphor Snake of the same rank, that didn't mean it could completely counter snake venom.
After all, lightning consumed a great deal of Soul Power. Against an endless stream of snake venom, it was still helpless.
And even though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was powerful, Dugu Bo wasn't among the strongest Titled Douluo. He was certainly far inferior to that old dragon, Yu Yuanzhen.
But Dugu Bo was still renowned across the continent, thanks to the terrifying area attacks of the Jade Phosphor Snake's venom.
If he wished, every Soul Master below the Titled Douluo rank in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would die.
Then Dugu Bo's spiritual power swept carefully over Zhou Tong as though it had taken physical form.
When it passed over Zhou Tong's body, which was naturally charged with lightning due to his Martial Soul leaking electricity, Dugu Bo's pupils abruptly contracted!
With the strength of a Titled Douluo, how could he fail to sense the immense energy fluctuations unique to the power of lightning contained within Zhou Tong?
The quality of his lightning attribute was exceptionally high, and its energy was so pure that he was undoubtedly among the very best lightning-attribute Martial Souls.
No wonder he could counter his granddaughter's poison.
It seemed this person really was a potential menace.
He could already neutralize Yan Yan's poison. Once he grew stronger, wouldn't he be able to counter her for the rest of her life?
She was his only descendant. If Yan Yan had to face him in the future, wouldn't she be at a disadvantage?
This was a potential enemy!
At the thought, Dugu Bo licked his dry lips. An utterly cold light burst from his green eyes.
He fixed his gaze on Zhou Tong and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Kid, the power of lightning in your Martial Soul is so pure that it counters snake venom far too well. You make me uneasy!"
"Give the old man one good reason not to kill you."
"Otherwise, I don't mind... nipping this in the bud."
Killing intent flashed in Dugu Bo's green eyes, and his tone carried an unquestionable threat.
Before his words had even faded, a bone-chilling killing intent locked onto Zhou Tong. The terrifying pressure of a Titled Douluo seemed to turn solid, making the surrounding air thick once more.
Zhou Tong's heart sank. Dugu Bo was a reclusive, ruthless man who didn't take kindly to persuasion. Killing and disposing of the bodies was practically second nature to him.
But with his strength, escaping Dugu Bo was impossible.
Thoughts raced through Zhou Tong's mind. He had to come up with an irrefutable reason that could give him a chance to survive.
A moment later, a fierce glint flashed in Zhou Tong's eyes. He said coldly, "I can save your life. Does that count as a reason?"
At those words, shock flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes, and his voice instantly turned urgent.
"Kid, don't you dare spout nonsense! I'm perfectly healthy. How dare you curse me? I'll kill you right now!"
Veins bulged on Dugu Bo's forehead, and he seemed to be going a little mad.
He slowly approached Zhou Tong. His green pupils glinted with wariness and killing intent, making Zhou Tong feel so suffocated he could barely breathe.
"Senior... you've... been poisoned... deeply... You... don't have long..."
At that, Dugu Bo stiffened. His oppressive aura unconsciously weakened, and an expression of incredulous, murderous fury blazed in his eyes. His voice was icy.
"Kid, don't you dare talk nonsense!"
"How could I be poisoned?"
"I'm the Titled Douluo most skilled in poison on the entire continent!"
"I've always been the one poisoning others. No one has ever poisoned me!"
Dugu Bo stared coldly at Zhou Tong, his voice full of disdain.
Strangely, though he claimed not to believe him, he made no move against Zhou Tong. He even released the pressure around him, allowing Zhou Tong to relax completely.
A hint of smugness crossed Zhou Tong's lips. He seized the chance to gulp in fresh air and steady himself, then recalled the original story's details and spoke slowly.
"If you haven't been poisoned, then why do your ribs grow numb and itchy whenever the weather turns gloomy and rainy?"
"Moreover, the symptoms gradually worsen over time. They flare up once at noon and once at midnight. Given your condition, each bout lasts at least an hour."
"And late every night, the crown of your head and the soles of your feet feel as though they're being pricked by needles. Your whole body convulses for at least half an hour."
"You certainly haven't forgotten that agony, have you?"
"If you aren't poisoned, how could you have these symptoms?"
"Not only have you been poisoned, but the poison has penetrated to your very bones. Even your Soul Power can barely suppress it."
To stay alive, Zhou Tong used the information from the original story to bluff Dugu Bo.
At his words, the greed and killing intent vanished from Dugu Bo's face, replaced by utter shock and horror.
Zhou Tong's description was as though he'd witnessed it with his own eyes.
This was Dugu Bo's greatest secret. Even his own granddaughter didn't know about it.
How could he not be shocked to hear Zhou Tong say all this?
What kind of monster was this person before him?
Killing intent surged in his eyes. Icy murderous aura welled up again as he glared coldly at Zhou Tong.
"Kid... how did you learn all that?"
Before you continue