Chapter 34: The Curse of the Dugu Family

At the same time, in Mu Jin's office.

"Good seedlings, all of them are good seedlings."

Mu Jin's eyes gleamed with unrestrained excitement as she meticulously scanned the record sheets of the new students. Satisfaction filled her heart as she murmured to herself, "Zhou Yi, just wait! This time, I'll definitely surpass you!"

A sudden knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she said, quickly suppressing her emotions.

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged man in his forties with an ordinary appearance but a scholarly demeanor. A warm smile graced his face as he greeted her.

"Teacher Mu Jin, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Oh? Teacher Wang Yan?" Mu Jin was momentarily surprised before teasing, "Now this is rare! Instead of burying yourself in the library, you actually came to my office? What an honor."

Wang Yan chuckled good-naturedly. "Teacher Mu Jin is joking. You know me well—I spend most of my time either teaching or studying martial spirits. But today, I have a favor to ask."

"A favor? Please, speak."

"I heard that you used a soul guide to test the six key attributes of this year's freshmen," Wang Yan began, his tone respectful. "The data collected must be highly accurate, and I would like to study their martial spirits and specific conditions. Would you be willing to share that information?"

Mu Jin hesitated. "I don't mind, but my data collection isn't complete yet. Once I finish, I'd be happy to share it."

Wang Yan nodded, undeterred. "I appreciate it. My research won't be in vain—I'll provide analysis and suggestions for each student. I hope these insights will benefit them."

Mu Jin smiled. "That would be an incredible help. Among Shrek Academy's teachers, no one surpasses you in martial spirit research. Your guidance is invaluable."

She retrieved a list and handed it over. "These are the most talented students in Class Nine. There are even two Soul Elders among them. Interested?"

Wang Yan's curiosity piqued, and he eagerly flipped through the records. However, as his eyes landed on one particular entry, his expression changed dramatically.

Dugu Xin, Martial Spirit: Green Phosphorus Snake.

His fingers trembled slightly. He didn't even need to read further. The weight of these words alone sent a shiver down his spine.

Excitement and fear warred within him. The appearance of the Green Phosphorus Snake martial spirit meant only one thing—the presence of the Dugu family.

Without another word, Wang Yan thrust the record sheet back into Mu Jin's hands and muttered, "The Dugu family's Green Phosphorus Snake... It has appeared again? Then this child must be..."

His expression darkened as memories of ancient texts flooded his mind. Mu Jin watched him, puzzled by his reaction.

Wang Yan clenched his fists. "No, I have to find Master Xuan. If we don't act now, this child..."

Without finishing his sentence, he turned and left in a hurry.

Mu Jin, still holding the record sheet, frowned. "What is so special about the Green Phosphorus Snake Martial Spirit?" She flipped through the pages again but found no obvious answer.

Sighing, she put the records away. "I suppose I'll just have to wait for Wang Yan to explain it to me later."

Shaking off her unease, she shifted her focus back to preparing her lesson plan. The afternoon's topic: the development and combat applications of soul guides.

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Later That Afternoon – Poseidon Lake

Wang Yan paced anxiously by the shore, his gaze fixed on Sea God Island. His restless movements betrayed his impatience as he waited.

"Xiao Wang, why are you so jittery? What's the matter?" A hoarse yet imposing voice broke the silence.

Turning around, Wang Yan saw an old man with disheveled hair and a sloppy appearance. In one hand, he clutched a wine gourd, while the other held a roasted chicken, from which he took leisurely bites.

"Master Xuan, you're finally here."

"Hmph, you dragged me out of my nap for this. It better be important."

Wang Yan wasted no time. "Master Xuan, among this year's new students, there is one with the Green Phosphorus Snake martial spirit—he's from the Dugu family."

Xuan Lao's eyes flashed with a terrifying light. But a moment later, his gaze softened, clouded with a mix of nostalgia and regret. "The Green Phosphorus Snake… It has been a long time."

His voice turned hoarse as he murmured, "So, you want to save that child, don't you?"

Wang Yan nodded firmly. "Yes, Master Xuan. I was hoping—"

Xuan Lao cut him off with a dismissive wave. "What you want doesn't matter. Do you think the Dugu family's poison is something to take lightly? Let me tell you, even the methods passed down by Tang San's lineage were ultimately powerless against it."

Wang Yan fell silent, his heart sinking.

"If the Dugu family is still around, it's a miracle. Their curse is no joke. The poison grows stronger with each generation. They tried using soul bones to store it, but even that method has its limits. A single soul bone isn't enough, and acquiring multiple compatible ones is near impossible."

Xuan Lao took a long swig from his wine gourd. "Over the past ten thousand years, their lifespan has only grown shorter. If my calculations are right, they won't live past twenty-five. There's simply no time to grow stronger, no time to break free."

Wang Yan clenched his fists. "Then... is there truly no way?"

Xuan Lao sighed and gazed over the lake. "Long ago, the Dugu family sought help from Shrek Academy. When we failed to aid them, our ties withered. Since then, their fate has been sealed."

"Master Xuan—"

"Let the boy go home." Xuan Lao's tone was final. "Find a way to leave a legacy. That's the best advice I can offer as an elder of the Sea God Pavilion."

Without another word, he took to the air, flying off in an unsteady yet eerily graceful manner.

Wang Yan stood there, watching his retreating figure, frustration gnawing at him.

"So that's it? There's nothing we can do?" He sighed heavily, a deep sense of helplessness settling over him.

Before, he had harbored a desperate hope—perhaps condensing a soul core could help suppress the toxins. But now, he knew it was futile.

To condense a soul core, one had to first reach the level of a Titled Douluo.

But how could someone whose lifespan was capped at twenty-five ever reach such heights?

"Is there really no hope?" Wang Yan whispered, his voice barely audible over the lapping waves of Poseidon Lake.

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(End of chapter)

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Like always,beat me!

(With stone of course)~