The Strategic Value of Poison Douluo

"Look! Whose convoy is that? It's so massive I can't even see where it ends."

"Idiot, can't you see the emblem on the flags? They're obviously from the Star Luo Imperial Family."

"Why have people from the Star Luo Imperial Family suddenly come to our Heaven Dou Imperial City? Don't tell me war's about to break out?"

"With a procession like that? How could it be war? I heard it's good news or something."

"..."

As the vast Star Luo Diplomatic Mission entered Heaven Dou Imperial City, it sparked heated discussion among the people nearby.

Even now, the Heaven Dou Empire had not publicly announced the alliance between the two nations, leaving many people thoroughly bewildered.

Only a small number knew the news.

Who knew what the Heaven Dou Empire was thinking?

Heaven Dou Imperial City. I've finally arrived! Dai Xuanyu gazed at the scenery outside his window, his heart full of emotion.

Compared with the solemn grandeur of Star Luo Imperial City, Heaven Dou Imperial City felt far more relaxed.

That had also fostered a thriving community of Soul Masters within the city.

Led by Heaven Dou officials, the Star Luo Diplomatic Mission successfully reached the Star Luo Embassy.

The embassy was built in a distinctly Star Luo style. One glance was enough to tell that it was no creation of the Heaven Dou Empire.

The very idea of an embassy was still quite new on the Douluo Continent.

When Dai Xuanyu had first proposed it to his imperial father, even the Star Luo Emperor, Dai Heng, had praised the idea.

As soon as the alliance between the two nations was initially settled, the Star Luo Empire had dispatched an entire construction team to Heaven Dou Imperial City to build its embassy.

Now Dai Xuanyu had arrived, just in time to stay there.

"Xuanyu, leave matters to your uncle at tonight's banquet," Dai Yuan told him with a kindly expression.

Seeing him like this, it was hard to imagine that he had once been the iron-blooded Prince of the Star Luo Empire's army, a man whose name had made enemies tremble.

"Don't worry, Uncle. I know what to do." Dai Xuanyu nodded obediently.

He was only six years old. If he suddenly took on the role of imperial ambassador, he would draw a great deal of unnecessary attention.

Thus, the Star Luo ambassador to the Heaven Dou Empire under this alliance was Dai Yuan, who was also a member of the imperial family.

Dai Xuanyu trusted his imperial uncle deeply.

Dai Yuan did not yet know about the God Examination.

But he did know that Dai Xuanyu had awakened the Evil Eyes Saint King Martial Soul, possessed innate Soul Power of level twenty, and had been named crown prince.

He had also learned from the emperor that Dai Xuanyu had an important reason for accompanying the Diplomatic Mission to Heaven Dou Imperial City.

But who was Dai Yuan?

Why did Dai Heng trust him so much?

The answer was simple: when Emperor Dai Heng had defeated his imperial brothers, Dai Yuan had played no small part.

For that reason, Dai Yuan's standing in the Star Luo Empire had soared after Dai Heng ascended the throne.

Dai Yuan had long since become a Prince, and his Soul Power Level had reached seventy-eight.

The only pity was that the Zhu Family had no woman of a suitable age at the time, leaving Dai Yuan without the advantage of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

"Elder Xu, sorry for the trouble tonight."

After reminding Dai Xuanyu of a few things to watch out for, Dai Yuan turned to the old man seated calmly in the room and spoke with respect.

Xu Dingchang chuckled. "In this vast Heaven Dou Empire, the only Titled Douluo serving as an imperial guardian is Poison Douluo, who ranks at the very bottom."

"With this old man along tonight, that little snake won't dare cause trouble."

Xu Dingchang plainly thought nothing of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.

And in truth, he had good reason.

The Star Crown Sect currently had three Titled Douluo.

Yes, the Star Crown Sect might be a hidden sect, but it now had three Douluo within its ranks.

Otherwise, why would Spirit Hall have engraved the Star Crown Sect's Martial Soul insignia on the Heaven Dou Six Imperial Cards?

Those three Douluo were Sect Master Xu Tianhai, Grand Elder Xu Dingchang, and guardian Douluo Shao Yan, who had been in seclusion for many years.

In terms of strength, Sect Master Xu Tianhai was the weakest. He might remain stuck at level ninety-two for the rest of his life.

Xu Dingchang came next, followed by guardian Douluo Shao Yan.

As a level ninety-five Titled Douluo with a full set of Soul Bones, Xu Dingchang could hardly be blamed for looking down on Poison Douluo.

"Grandpa Xu, if possible, Poison Douluo is one of the people I hope to win over on this trip."

Seeing how lightly Xu Dingchang regarded Dugu Bo, Dai Xuanyu hurried to caution him.

First impressions mattered greatly.

He did not want to fall into conflict with Dugu Bo, or even make an enemy of him, before he had done anything at all.

"Xuanyu, what does that mere Dugu Bo amount to? Your Grandpa Xu could subdue him with ease."

Hearing that, Dai Xuanyu explained Dugu Bo's strategic value on the spot:

"Grandpa Xu, Dugu Bo may rank at the bottom in combat among Titled Douluo."

"But don't forget, he's an expert with poison."

"If he chose to drag everyone down with him, the destruction he could cause would be far greater than that of many other Titled Douluo."

"In battles between large armies, powerful Soul Masters like Poison Douluo are the ones you fear most. Their killing power is simply too great."

Having said that, Dai Xuanyu offered another, rather unpleasant example:

"Uncle, Grandpa Xu, imagine that our Star Luo Empire went to war with the Heaven Dou Empire someday and sent out an army of ten thousand."

"The Heaven Dou Empire would only have to deploy Poison Douluo, and he could poison the entire army by himself."

"That may sound alarmist and exaggerated. But as the saying goes, a thief can plot for a thousand days; who can guard against one for a thousand days?"

Dugu Bo had become a Titled Douluo near the end of the age of turmoil, leaving him few chances to put his abilities to use or display them fully.

Moreover, moral standards on the Douluo Continent had not yet sunk so low.

As a result, no one had truly recognized how dangerous Poison Douluo could be.

After Dai Xuanyu's analysis, both Dai Yuan, who had remained silent, and Xu Dingchang, who had dismissed the matter moments ago, grew solemn at once.

They had clearly grasped Poison Douluo's true strategic value.

Once the continent gradually regained stability, a Titled Douluo like Poison Douluo usually fought opponents who were Titled Douluo themselves.

Against such powerful foes, his poison held little advantage, leaving his combat strength at the bottom of the Titled Douluo ranks.

But step outside the circle of Titled Douluo, and his destructive power became staggering.

He posed a far greater threat than an ordinary Titled Douluo.