Third Soul Skill: Shadow Control: Strangulation
Within the three-hundred-meter radius of the Shadow Grave domain, every shadow was summoned by the third soul skill, as if given life. They sprang from the ground and shot toward Dugu Bo with incredible speed.
In an instant, Dugu Bo was entangled from all directions by countless shadows. They wrapped around his limbs and tightened around his neck, as if he were being bound by countless black cords—strong and unyielding. His body was immobilized, frozen in place.
Lu Buliang's heterochromatic eyes gleamed coldly. He channeled the extreme Ice and Fire energy infused with his soul power into the shadows constricting Dugu Bo. While the latter was held in place, he was simultaneously subjected to the scorching pain of fire and the bone-piercing chill of ice.
This chain of attacks had struck just before the ghost shadow soldiers were shattered, catching Dugu Bo completely off guard. He tried to unleash his soul power to break free, but even more shadows rushed in and bound him tighter.
Already tormented by the backlash of his own serpent venom, now disrupted by this unexpected assault, Dugu Bo was furious. But just then, the Ice and Fire energy from the shadows seeped through his skin and into his body.
Unlike the two violent polar energies from the hot spring, the Ice and Fire energy released by Lu Buliang was calm and controlled. It didn't damage his internal organs or meridians. Instead, the fusion of fire and ice produced a gentle energy that suppressed the venomous backlash within him.
The fire in his heart slowly cooled under the influence of ice energy. The maddening itch across his body was soothed by the heat. Gradually, all the pain and negative emotions were suppressed by this strange blend of flame and frost. The venom's backlash weakened, his symptoms lightened, and his grim expression relaxed. The agitation and discomfort faded away.
At that moment, the countless shadowy tendrils encasing Dugu Bo's body formed a giant black cocoon—like a sleeping bag filled with Ice and Fire energy. Inside, all sensations of pain vanished. The backlash of the serpent venom was suppressed, replaced by a soothing warmth that spread through every part of his body, so much so that it gave him goosebumps.
Several minutes passed. Instead of using his soul power to break free, Dugu Bo remained still, basking in the comfort as if soaking in a hot spring bath.
His rage, previously driven by the venom's torment, gradually subsided. As calm returned, Dugu Bo finally noticed the black-haired youth standing at the edge of the spring. His eyes were filled with confusion, tension, and disbelief.
He was confused—how could anyone else be near this deadly hot spring? How had this black-haired youth made it in here? Could he be the one who harvested all the surrounding herbs?
He was tense—his venom's backlash was his greatest secret. If exposed, it could lead to deadly consequences. Anyone who had seen him in that state might pose a threat. The only way to ensure his safety might be to silence the witness.
And he was stunned—that soul skill the youth used was clearly a control-type ability, and yet the heat and cold it released had actually suppressed the backlash of his Jade Phosphor Serpent venom? How was this possible?
Lu Buliang looked into Dugu Bo's bewildered gaze and spoke with a serious tone, "Senior Dugu, if you've calmed down, perhaps we can have a proper conversation."
Hearing the youth speak his name, Dugu Bo fully regained his composure. The venom's backlash had clearly weakened. It now seemed that this black-haired youth had intentionally helped him.
Once his condition stabilized, Dugu Bo immediately activated his soul power to shield his body. He couldn't fully trust a stranger's help and needed to remain ready for any unexpected danger.
However, he quickly realized he might be overreacting. The youth before him only had three soul rings—a mere Soul Elder. No matter what tricks he pulled, there was no way someone of that level could truly threaten a Titled Douluo.
Relaxing slightly, Dugu Bo was just about to shatter the black tendrils with his soul power, but before he could, the black strands dissolved into glowing light and vanished.
Lu Buliang had released his control. He knew that with only thirty-seven levels of soul power, there was no way he could truly restrain a Titled Douluo, no matter how strong his skills were.
Freed at last, Dugu Bo stretched his shoulders and quietly examined the areas that had been itching moments ago. To his surprise, not only were they unharmed, they actually felt… wonderful—like the refreshing lightness one felt after a good soak in hot water.
Who exactly was this black-haired youth?
The name "Poison Douluo Dugu Bo" carried weight across the continent. Ever since he became a Titled Douluo, his Jade Phosphor Serpent martial spirit had been feared far and wide. So it was no surprise that the young man recognized him.
What puzzled Dugu Bo was how the youth had used those black tendrils, imbued with fire and ice, to suppress his venom's backlash. Could it be that someone outside the Serpent Spirit lineage knew about the venom's flaw?
"You helped me," Dugu Bo said coldly, eyes narrowing. "As repayment, I can grant you one request. But first, I need answers." His voice carried a dangerous chill. "You're not a serpent spirit master. How do you know about the Jade Phosphor Serpent venom's secret?"
Lu Buliang turned to glance at the spring. "I don't know the secret behind the venom," he replied. "But I do know the secret of this hot spring. Its extreme heat and cold can suppress all poisons—even the mighty venom of the Jade Phosphor Serpent you're so proud of."
"You know this spring?" Dugu Bo raised a brow in surprise.
Lu Buliang nodded, walking toward the spring's edge before stopping. To cover up the fact that he had consumed the two immortal herbs earlier, he decided to improvise. "This dual-source spring has a name: the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."
"The icy yin spring and fiery yang spring release opposing energies that can suppress all toxins. The water itself is immune to all poisons. My own ice and fire attributes happen to be similar to the energy from this spring, so I thought I could use them to deal with you and create an opening to escape. I never expected it would actually help you instead."
Dugu Bo finally relaxed. So this black-haired youth didn't actually know about the venom's backlash. That was a relief.
Still, the way he had raged and mutilated himself during the venom episode… if this youth truly knew poison, he might still be able to guess the truth just from observing the symptoms.
But how could he know for sure whether the youth was versed in poisons?
This young man had trespassed into the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison array and survived. He'd made it all the way to the spring and even knew its secret. He was also the one who harvested all the herbs nearby—herbs that even Dugu Bo himself didn't fully recognize.
If he didn't know poisons, why would he care about rare medicinal herbs? Why would he even dare step foot here?
"Your martial spirit doesn't seem related to poison," Dugu Bo said slowly. "But you clearly know quite a bit about it. Have you studied the art of poison?"
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