Chapter 19: Entering Star Dou Again
News of a battle between Titled Douluo outside Nuoding City spread rapidly across the Heaven Dou Empire, even reaching Spirit Hall, which immediately dispatched investigators.
However, all they found was a vast, devastated clearing. With no further clues, the incident slowly faded from public attention.
None of this mattered to Dugu Chen and his group—they had already returned to Heaven Dou City after several days of travel.
Time passed quickly. A full year had gone by since their last visit to Nuoding City.
During that time, Dugu Chen devoted himself daily to cultivating spirit power, honing combat skills, and studying the applications of spiritual power. Occasionally, Ning Fengzhi would visit, while Dugu Bo maintained a reserved but consistent attitude—neither too close, nor too distant.
Everything was developing smoothly.
---
Within Dugu Chen's courtyard.
"Brother Chen, I've broken through to Level 20!"
A soft, gentle voice called out behind him. Dugu Chen shuddered slightly, every hair standing on end.
He turned around mid-exercise and gave a helpless look to the speaker. "Oscar, can you stop using that voice? It gives me chills."
The boy before him had skin as fair as jade and harmonious, handsome features. His deep, peach blossom eyes gave him a mature and composed air. Though only nine years old, he already looked like a noble young master.
This was the result of Dugu Chen's earlier request to his butler to find talented individuals. In the end, only Oscar was found—but it was still a gain. One was better than none.
However, every time Dugu Chen looked at Oscar's delicate face and heard that overly soft voice, he felt an urge to kick him out.
With that appearance and voice, if Oscar grew his hair out, even Dugu Yan might admit defeat.
"But Brother Chen, I don't want to sound like this either!" Oscar scratched his head in frustration. He truly didn't—it was just his natural voice, and he couldn't change it.
"Forget it," Dugu Chen sighed. "Since you've broken through to Level 20, I'll let Master know. Tomorrow, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest to get spirit rings for you and Senior Sister."
He was just venting—Oscar's progress was expected. As for Dugu Yan, she had already reached Level 40 half a month ago. To reach that at just twelve years old was almost unprecedented—perhaps only Qian Renxue was faster.
As for Dugu Chen himself, due to his extreme attribute spirit, his advancement was slightly slower, but he was already at Level 36. The immortal herbs and his refined meridians had not been consumed in vain.
Oscar grinned and quickly followed behind.
---
The next morning.
A small town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest bustled as usual, filled with the shouts of mercenaries.
Dugu Chen, Dugu Yan, Oscar, and Dugu Bo had come fully prepared. They stepped down from their carriage and headed toward the dense forest.
Along the way, Dugu Chen turned to Dugu Bo. "Master, let us handle things ourselves this time."
Dugu Bo considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I won't interfere with spirit beasts under ten thousand years. You'll handle those on your own."
With that settled, Dugu Chen quickly made arrangements: he would take the lead, Oscar would stay in the center, and Dugu Yan would guard the rear.
"Oscar, keep your sausages ready at all times," he reminded.
Dugu Chen had complete faith in Oscar's spirit abilities. In a place like Star Dou, stamina was critical. Oscar's first spirit ability provided recovery—a highly practical skill in the field.
Oscar nodded solemnly, and the three set off deeper into the forest. Dugu Bo hovered above, watching from the air.
As one of the three great wild spirit beast habitats, Star Dou Great Forest was a place every spirit master dreamed of visiting. Each journey here meant advancement.
No one knew how long the forest had existed, but its ancient aura was undeniable. Even the trees at the forest's edge towered over twenty meters high, their dense canopy blocking out sunlight.
As they walked further, the air grew cooler and more comfortable—but that also meant greater danger.
After a while, Dugu Chen noticed Oscar was slightly out of breath. Though he had strengthened his physique with thousand-year whale glue, he was still a support-type spirit master and couldn't compare physically to Dugu Chen or Dugu Yan.
Oscar handed each of them a sausage. As the food entered their stomachs, it transformed into a warm stream of energy, rapidly restoring their stamina.
"Let's rest a bit," Dugu Chen suggested, and the others readily agreed.
Dugu Bo descended from the air. "I'll cover the rear from now on."
The three had no objections. After a short rest, they pressed forward again.
Along the way, they encountered several ten- and hundred-year spirit beasts, but ignored them and continued deeper.
---
Suddenly, Dugu Chen stopped and warned, "A spirit beast is approaching. Stay alert."
Although nothing was visible yet, the other two tensed up immediately.
A faint rustling sound came from ahead, growing louder by the second. They could clearly feel something charging toward them.
Dugu Chen's eyesight was excellent. As the creature emerged, a strange expression appeared on his face.
"It's a Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake. Looks to be around eight or nine hundred years old. Oscar, this one's yours."
Oscar's eyes lit up with excitement. As a support spirit master, he didn't need to absorb particularly extreme spirit rings. With the whale glue boosting his physique, this was already perfect for him.
"Incoming!"
A snake over four meters long launched itself from the brush, three meters off the ground, its speed blinding.
Reacting quickly, Dugu Yan activated her martial spirit. Her second thousand-year spirit ring flared, and a thick purple poison mist blanketed the area ahead.
The snake dodged instinctively, but still inhaled a significant amount of the mist. Its body stiffened, and its speed dropped sharply.
Taking the opportunity, Dugu Chen soared into the air, his right arm transforming into a dragon claw. With a thunderous slam, he struck the snake's head, halting its momentum. Its body writhed and crashed to the ground.
Dugu Chen landed, pressing his claw against the still-twitching body. A faint dragon's might erupted, suppressing the snake completely. He struck its fleshy crest, knocking it unconscious.
"Oscar, it's ready," Dugu Chen called.
Oscar ran forward excitedly, short blade in hand. The nine-hundred-year-old beast lay helpless before him.
He plunged the blade into its vital point. Moments later, a faint purple spirit ring floated above the corpse.
Oscar sat down cross-legged and summoned his Great Sausage spirit. Surrounded by a light pink glow, he guided the spirit ring into his body and began the absorption process.
---
Half an hour later.
Oscar opened his eyes. The absorption was complete.
"Oscar, what's your second spirit ability?" Dugu Yan asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
"Uh... Big Sister, promise you won't laugh."
Oscar raised his hand and chanted his incantation. A mushroom-shaped sausage appeared in his hand.
Dugu Yan immediately buried her face in Dugu Chen's shoulder, trembling as she tried to hold in her laughter. She was a professional. She had said she wouldn't laugh—and she wouldn't... unless she couldn't help it.
Oscar looked helpless. Dugu Yan's status in the family was high—he could only endure.
Dugu Chen stroked Dugu Yan's head gently. "So, what's the effect of your new ability?"
Oscar perked up. "It has two functions! First, I can grow wings and fly at the speed of the Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake for one minute. Second, if I don't grow wings, it increases movement speed by thirty percent for one minute."
Dugu Chen was stunned. Two effects? Spirit rings above one's level really did offer unexpected advantages!
Even Dugu Yan was surprised now, her gaze toward Oscar tinged with admiration.
Dugu Bo, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "Among all the food-type spirit masters I've seen over the years, Oscar, your talent is the highest."
"Thank you, Senior!" Oscar beamed. Praise from a Titled Douluo wasn't something he would forget anytime soon.
"Alright, let's keep going. We still haven't found Senior Sister's ring."
Dugu Chen reminded them to stay focused. Dugu Yan's spirit ring didn't need to reach ten thousand years. Those spirit rings could cause soul shock, and he wasn't sure if Dugu Yan could withstand it. An eight- or nine-thousand-year ring would suffice.
By this point, the four had entered the mixed zone. Thousand-year spirit beasts were now common.
They searched for three days.
---
Suddenly, while leading the way, Dugu Chen reached out and pulled Dugu Yan into his arms, quickly retreating sideways.
Just as they moved, countless pale yellow spider silks erupted from the ground, weaving into a massive net.
The threads were coated in a sticky liquid that solidified on contact with air, forming steel-like strands. In the blink of an eye, a prison-like spider web had formed.
Holding Dugu Yan close, Dugu Chen turned to Dugu Bo—who had just descended with Oscar in tow—and said calmly,
"Master, we've found our target."
"Do you want me to act?" Dugu Bo asked in a low voice.
"Please let me handle it. Just block its escape."
He gave Dugu Yan a reassuring look, then stepped forward.
A dark red light glowed from his forehead. Red flames swirled around him as his arms thickened into dragon claws. His body expanded slightly, and his sleeves were reduced to ash. One yellow and two purple spirit rings revolved around him.
With sharp eyes, Dugu Chen scanned the area.
Suddenly, he slashed forward with his right arm, unleashing a flaming arc that swept the surroundings and forced the hidden spirit beast into the open.
A grey-bodied spider-like creature crawled out of the shadows. Yellow filaments stuck to its body—exactly the same as those forming the web.
An eight-thousand-year Dreadclaw Spider.