Dugu Bo, You're Pretty Impressive

The three rode a Carriage to Sunset Forest, arriving at their destination more than half a month later.

Led by Lin Zhiruo, Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er entered Sunset Forest.

Located roughly two hundred li east of Heaven Dou City, this place enjoyed springlike weather year-round and a pleasant climate.

Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting mottled patches of light and shadow that draped the vast forest in a golden mantle.

The air was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and rich scent of earth, occasionally mingled with the roars of unknown beasts, adding a touch of mystery and wildness.

"Xiao Han, hurry up and find whatever herbs you need. Once you've found them, we're leaving."

"Okay. There aren't any on the outskirts. Let's head toward the Forest Center."

"Honestly, I don't know what to do with you. I'm not bringing you here next time."

Although Sunset Forest was home to quite a few soul beasts, not many had cultivation levels over ten thousand years.

Lin Zhiruo possessed the strength of a Soul Saint and could fly at tremendous speed. Even taking two children into the Forest Center, she had nothing to worry about.

The three traveled through the forest and encountered quite a few soul beasts along the way.

Lin Zhiruo's powerful presence kept those thousand-year soul beasts from daring to approach.

The few soul beasts that tried to get close were all driven away by her.

"Xiao Han, are you done gathering herbs yet?"

"Mom, stop rushing me. Who knows when we'll come here again? Let me pick a few more."

Xiao Han picked several herbs and carefully placed them into his Soul Tool.

Those herbs did have some use, but compared to Immortal Herbs, they were hardly worth mentioning.

The three drew closer and closer to the Forest Center, and they could feel the temperature changing.

"Xiao Han, it seems to be getting hotter and hotter. Let's stop here. It's time to head back."

"Mom, can we go a little farther? There might be a surprise ahead."

Xiao Han had a strong feeling that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was not far from here.

Seeing that Lin Zhiruo was somewhat angry, Shui Bing'er said:

"Dean Lin, we've already come this far. Let's accompany Xiao Han a little farther."

"Fine, I'll listen to you."

Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er exchanged smiles and gave her grateful looks.

The three continued toward the Forest Center.

As they walked, a pungent odor suddenly drifted over from ahead.

"Xiao Han, don't go any farther!"

Lin Zhiruo grabbed Xiao Han with one hand and Shui Bing'er with the other, instantly retreating a hundred meters.

"That strange smell just now seemed to be poison."

Xiao Han had smelled it too, and an uneasy feeling immediately rose in his heart. Could it be the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array Dugu Bo set up? Had he already discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?

Lin Zhiruo frowned tightly, seeming to realize something as she grew tense.

"Xiao Han, Bing'er, this place is dangerous. We're leaving."

Just as they prepared to leave, an invisible force instantly enveloped all three of them.

Even though Lin Zhiruo wanted to resist, she could not move in the slightest.

A dark green figure slowly emerged from the depths of the woods like Gui Mei. Every step he took seemed to land on an invisible rhythm, while the air around him warped slightly from the Soul Power surging within his body.

A cold gleam flickered in his deep-set eyes.

"Who are you people? How dare you trespass on this old man's territory!"

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying unquestionable authority.

Though Xiao Han could not make out his face, he knew that this was Dugu Bo.

He had not expected him to discover the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well so early.

Lin Zhiruo's expression turned grave as she recognized the newcomer as Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.

She knew full well that Dugu Bo's strength was unfathomable, and his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison was unrivaled under heaven. One careless mistake could lead to irreversible ruin.

Lin Zhiruo forced herself to remain calm, trying to defuse the potential crisis with words.

"Senior Dugu, I am Lin Zhiruo, Vice Dean of Skywater Academy. We had no intention of offending you. We merely wandered in here by mistake, and I hope you can forgive us."

"Skywater Academy?"

Dugu Bo gave Lin Zhiruo a cold glance. Sensing the icy aura around her, he knew she was not lying.

Years ago, Dugu Bo had met Dean Zhao of Skywater Academy, though they had not been familiar with one another.

"What are you doing here?"

"We came to look for soul beasts."

Before Lin Zhiruo could answer, Xiao Han spoke first.

He knew Dugu Bo was highly suspicious. If Dugu Bo learned they had come to search for herbs, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Yes, we came to look for soul beasts."

Lin Zhiruo knew Xiao Han had always been clever. Since he said so, he must have had his reasons, so she went along with him.

Dugu Bo glanced at Xiao Han, assuming that he would not dare lie.

How could he have known that this six-year-old boy had his eye on his herb garden?

"There is a poison array I set up ahead. Even soul beasts with ten-thousand-year cultivation do not dare approach it lightly. If these two children enter the poison array, they will certainly die. This is not a place you should be. Leave at once."

"Thank you for the warning, Senior. We'll leave right away."

As soon as Lin Zhiruo finished speaking, Dugu Bo vanished from sight. His speed was simply too fast.

"Xiao Han, Bing'er, let's go!"

Lin Zhiruo took Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er and flew straight out of Sunset Forest.

After the three landed, they were still shaken.

Shui Bing'er asked:

"Dean Lin, who was that old man just now?"

"He was Poison Douluo Dugu Bo."

"So he was a Titled Douluo. No wonder he was so powerful."

"Dugu Bo is withdrawn and prefers to be alone. His poison is unrivaled under heaven. I've heard that his methods are ruthless, so he has made quite a few enemies."

Remembering what had just happened, Xiao Han still felt lingering fear, along with some guilt.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I led you into danger."

"Xiao Han, you don't need to blame yourself. This was only an accident. We have no grievances with Dugu Bo. Dean Zhao even took me to meet him before. Even if he doesn't remember me, once he knows we're from Skywater Academy, he won't make things difficult for us."

"Mm."

Only then did Xiao Han feel a little better.

However, this experience only intensified his desire to obtain the Immortal Herbs.

"By the way, Xiao Han, why did you say we came to look for soul beasts?"

"Mom, don't you find it strange? Dugu Bo set up a poison array in the Forest Center, as if he is deliberately guarding something. Neither people nor soul beasts can approach that poison array. I guessed there might be something extremely precious inside, perhaps rare flowers or exotic herbs. If he learned that we came to gather herbs, he might have developed murderous intent."

After hearing Xiao Han's explanation, Lin Zhiruo shuddered at the thought.

"Xiao Han, you're so young, yet you can think things through so thoroughly. Put that cleverness into cultivation, and don't take risks again."

"Mm, I understand."

A few days later, the three returned to Skywater Academy.

Lin Zhiruo told Dean Zhao everything the three had experienced in Ice Sealed Forest and Sunset Forest.

After listening, Dean Zhao felt relieved.

"I never expected you to encounter Dugu Bo. Fortunately, it was only a false alarm. Xiao Han and Bing'er are the future hopes of Skywater Academy. At the Soul Master Tournament ten years from now, they will surely rise to prominence and shine brilliantly."