Brief Suppression, Winning Trust

"Gifted by heaven—with your talent, even the renowned Clear Sky Douluo from several years ago could not compare to you. If you grow smoothly, you may break through to Title Douluo before reaching thirty."

Dugu Bo wore a Dark Green robe. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the subtle patterns along his sleeve as he looked at Lin Yao with curiosity and amazement. He spoke softly, his voice full of recognition for Lin Yao's talent.

Then, he slowly turned his head, and his gaze immediately softened as he looked at Dugu Yan beside him.

Dugu Yan's almond-shaped eyes were wide open, filled with surprise and disbelief as she stared fixedly at Lin Yao.

It was as if she had yet to recover from the fact that Lin Yao had already become a Soul Elder, or from her grandfather's extremely high praise of him.

Her small mouth hung slightly open, revealing the tip of her pink tongue.

Seeing his granddaughter like this, Dugu Bo smiled faintly. Then his expression turned solemn again, and he spoke with a trace of earnestness and plea.

"Of course, you have not fully grown yet. As a Title Douluo, can I shamelessly invest a little in you and protect your growth?

"All I ask is that once you have grown strong, you look after Yan'er. Then even if I fall, I will have no regrets. She is the only one I cannot stop worrying about."

"Grandpa, what are you talking about?!"

Hearing the word "fall," Dugu Yan hurriedly reached out and tightly tugged at Dugu Bo's sleeve, her voice both dissatisfied and anxious.

"You're a Title Douluo. How could you fall?"

As the only family she had left in this world, Dugu Yan had long regarded him as the most important support in her life. She simply could not imagine the days after losing her grandfather.

Feeling the force on his sleeve and the dependence in his granddaughter's voice, Dugu Bo's heart warmed. He opened his mouth, as though he wanted to say something.

For example, about the increasingly severe poison within his body. But when he saw the flicker of sadness in her eyes, he swallowed the words at his lips. He merely patted the back of her hand gently, his eyes complicated.

In that moment of silence, Lin Yao suddenly spoke. His voice was clear and firm, breaking the mood in the area.

"Senior Dugu, I actually have a way to improve Sister Yanyan's condition and help her grow stronger sooner. After all, strength is best held in one's own hands."

Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow at those words, doubt in his eyes. He shook his head lightly and sighed.

"Oh, Yao, you should not make such overambitious claims so casually. Although I admit Yan'er's talent is fairly good, she cannot grow as quickly as someone with your Peerless talent.

"If she is fortunate, she may approach Soul King before twenty and Soul Saint before thirty. I would already be fully satisfied."

In his view, Lin Yao might have underestimated how difficult it was for ordinary geniuses to grow because his own cultivation speed was so extraordinary.

The path of a Soul Master grew harder the farther one advanced. Breaking through every realm required enormous effort and opportunity.

"If she follows my method, then regardless of anything else, Sister Yanyan's growth speed will definitely surpass your expectations. She will certainly become a Soul Saint before thirty."

Lin Yao's gaze was firm, and his tone allowed no doubt. Sunlight fell across his face, adding an even more dazzling radiance to his already handsome features.

Those words instantly drew the attention of all three people present.

Dugu Bo frowned deeply. The doubt in his eyes grew stronger, yet there was also a trace more expectation.

Dugu Yan released her grandfather's sleeve, her eyes full of delight and curiosity as she stared at Lin Yao, waiting for what he would say next.

Ye Lingling stood nearby. A smile of happiness for her friend appeared on her fair face, but deep in her eyes flashed a faint, imperceptible disappointment.

She, too, longed for an opportunity to grow quickly, yet she was too embarrassed to ask directly.

Lin Yao took in the changes in all three expressions, especially Ye Lingling's complicated look. He smiled slightly and continued.

"Though this opportunity cannot be widely distributed, it can still meet the needs of several dozen people. Do not worry, Sister Ling Ling. I will not forget you either."

Dugu Bo's expression became somewhat subtle as he listened to Lin Yao.

If not for Lin Yao's Peerless talent, along with the Sword Douluo's standing, he would probably have turned around and left long ago.

Especially when he saw Lin Yao talking with his granddaughter while still remembering to consider Ye Lingling beside them, dissatisfaction rose within him. He secretly thought, This brat really acts as if I don't exist.

"Of course, I am not someone who speaks carelessly. This matter concerns some of Senior Dugu's private affairs, so I should speak with Senior Dugu alone first."

A glint flashed in Lin Yao's eyes. He had already thought of a way to win Dugu Bo's trust.

However, this concerned Dugu Bo's secret, and it was inconvenient to mention it in front of the two girls. Thus, he made the suggestion sincerely.

"Fine!"

Dugu Bo had already been somewhat displeased with Lin Yao's "generous affection." Hearing this, he immediately nodded in agreement, then turned to Dugu Yan.

"Yan'er, stay here with your friend for a while. Yao and I will go talk somewhere else."

As soon as he finished speaking, he reached out, grabbed Lin Yao's shoulder, and flexed his wrist slightly. Soul Power quietly circulated within him as he took Lin Yao and vanished in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, the two had disappeared from before Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.

Dugu Yan stared blankly at the empty space ahead. Then she turned to Ye Lingling beside her, and the two looked at each other.

Very soon, Dugu Bo brought Lin Yao to a relatively secluded pavilion within Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Emerald-green vines crawled all over the pavilion, while its roof was covered in a thick layer of moss. It was obvious that few people came here normally.

Dense shrubs surrounded the pavilion, cleverly isolating it from the outside world. Only several winding paths led here.

Dugu Bo released Lin Yao's shoulder and swept his gaze around the area.

Then, Soul Power stirred slightly within him, and a pale green Soul Power barrier silently enveloped the entire pavilion.

Only after doing all that did he speak.

"Yao, there are not many people nearby. With the Soul Power barrier I have set up, even a Super Douluo cannot eavesdrop from afar. Say whatever you need to say."

Lin Yao nodded slightly and looked directly at Dugu Bo without hiding anything. He asked bluntly.

"Yes, Senior Dugu. May I ask whether the numb itching around your ribs becomes worse every rainy day? Is it still continuously intensifying?"

He knew that if he wanted to win this Title Douluo's trust, he had to strike directly at his weakness, just like Tang San had in the original story.

"..."

Dugu Bo's face changed abruptly. His previously mild gaze instantly turned sharp, like two keen blades fixed firmly on Lin Yao.

His hands behind his back suddenly clenched, his knuckles turning white from the force. The Soul Power within him immediately grew restless, as though he might attack at any moment.

But then he remembered that the Sword Douluo stood behind Lin Yao. If he truly attacked Lin Yao, it would likely bring unnecessary trouble.

Thus, he forcibly suppressed the inexplicable turmoil in his heart. He quietly took a deep breath but did not speak.

He merely stared at Lin Yao, waiting for an explanation.

Lin Yao saw Dugu Bo's reaction, and his heart immediately settled.

The deterrent power of his master, the Sword Douluo, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had worked. He had not received the treatment Tang San had in the original story. Perhaps Dugu Yan was also part of the reason.

Apparently unaffected by the pressure radiating from Dugu Bo, Lin Yao calmly continued.

"Senior Dugu, barring any surprises, these symptoms occur once every day at noon and once at midnight, each episode lasting well over two hours.

"Also, around the middle of the night, your head and the center of your chest experience needle-like stabbing pain. Your entire body convulses for at least an hour. That should be about right."

"Where did you learn that?"

Dugu Bo's expression changed repeatedly. His gaze toward Lin Yao was filled with danger. He even dropped the earlier address of "Yao" and simply called him "you."

At first, he had thought Lin Yao had merely noticed it by chance. Yet Lin Yao's description matched his physical condition so precisely that Dugu Bo could not help but panic.

These symptoms were his greatest secret, tied directly to his life and death.

Although he had casually mentioned the possibility of his own death while speaking with Dugu Yan earlier, who could truly face death calmly?

Especially if his enemies learned of these weaknesses and chose the right moment to ambush him, he would certainly die without a burial place.

And his granddaughter, who was only a Soul Grandmaster and had yet to grow strong, would face an even more unbearable fate.

Death might even be a form of release for her. More likely, she would become the plaything of an enemy seeking to optimize their Martial Soul inheritance.

A fate worse than death, left for others' amusement.

That was something he absolutely did not wish to see and would never allow to happen.

"Senior Dugu, once one's medical skill reaches a certain level, and one observes you from close range, it is possible to notice some clues. At present, I am the only one who knows."

Lin Yao spoke calmly, looking at Dugu Bo with an honest gaze as he continued.

"Besides, you know my talent and background. Even if I wanted to harm you, I would not need to act through this method."

He knew that only by completely dispelling Dugu Bo's doubts could their next conversation proceed smoothly.

Hearing Lin Yao give him an excuse to step down, Dugu Bo suddenly realized that his state of mind had been led around by a seven-year-old child. He felt unwilling, but he also knew Lin Yao was right.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the waves in his heart, and said in a low voice.

"You possess such powerful medical skill? With your current Soul Power cultivation, your daily cultivation should already consume much of your focus. Where would you find the time to study such unorthodox pursuits?"

In his view, a Soul Master's foremost task was increasing Soul Power. Studying medicine was merely a side pursuit.

A seven-year-old Soul Elder was already terrifying enough. Such a child should have spent every moment cultivating, and it should have been impossible for him to master such profound medical skill in addition to cultivation.

"Sometimes, geniuses are not something ordinary people can understand. Even if you are a Title Douluo, how could you know the limits of my potential?"

Lin Yao's lips curled into a confident smile.

With only one person's time and energy, it was indeed difficult to become proficient in both cultivation and medicine. But Lin Yao was different.

Behind him stood brothers from other worlds who supported him.

They possessed the essence of modern medicine, as well as the profound foundation of ancient medicine from the Divine Eagle martial arts world. They also had ample time to study and learn before passing that knowledge on to him.

With such a powerful foundation, Lin Yao even dared to call himself a medical master on Douluo Continent. There was simply no need to do so.

Casting aside the complicated thoughts in his mind, Lin Yao changed the subject and spoke seriously.

"Senior Dugu, with the knowledge I currently possess, the special nature of my Soul Power, and certain hidden methods, I can sort out and suppress the poison inside your body within a short time.

"If we add some special materials, that period can be extended by several years, perhaps even more than a decade."

"What did you say? You can sort out and suppress the poison in my body?"

Dugu Bo's eyes were full of shock. He instinctively raised his voice, his tone filled with disbelief.

"Brat, do not joke with me about this! Though you are a Soul Elder and have some foundation in medicine, the poison within my body is so troublesome that even your master, the Sword Douluo, would find it extremely difficult to handle if he touched it."

In his view, the poison in his body had accumulated over many years and had long seeped into his bones. Even he had no solution for it.

How could a seven-year-old child possibly suppress it? It was simply absurd.

"One attempt will tell."

Lin Yao noticed the disdain in Dugu Bo's words, but he did not get angry. He merely spoke softly.

He understood that no amount of verbal explanation would be useful. Only action could convince this Title Douluo.

That confidence slightly weakened Dugu Bo's doubts and instead aroused some curiosity.

At the same time, a faint, nearly imperceptible hope rose in his heart.

If Lin Yao could truly reduce the pain caused by the accumulated poison within him, then even giving it a try would be worth it.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded.

"Good! If you can truly do it, I will not only apologize for underestimating you earlier. In the future, if you ask me to do one thing, so long as it does not violate my principles, I will agree."

Lin Yao nodded slightly, already confident.

If someone else had said those words, he might have had doubts. But he had long understood Dugu Bo's character from the original story.

Although Dugu Bo had been ruthless and merciless in the original story, he was willing to shoulder many burdens for those he acknowledged, such as Tang San. He would even slaughter a city without hesitation.

Even with blood covering his hands, he would remain unwavering.

On Douluo Continent, when it came to keeping his word to people he acknowledged, Dugu Bo could definitely rank among the top five.

"Star Sword, Wood, Fire, Earth Power, Star Body, Heavenly Cycle Star Array."

Lin Yao no longer hesitated. He softly recited the incantation, and the Soul Power within his body suddenly erupted.

A longsword radiating dazzling starlight appeared out of thin air in his right hand.

The blade was covered in intricate star patterns, while Soul Power of Wood, Fire, and Earth intertwined around it, forming a strange energy array.

At the same time, a faint layer of starlight surrounded his body, as though it contained the strength of the entire night sky.

The moment Dugu Bo saw this, his expression became uncertain with shock.

He stared fixedly at the Star Sword in Lin Yao's hand and the starlight around him, muttering to himself.

"Another Martial Soul? Within his body... But this child's Martial Soul is not a sword?

"Could this be Twin Martial Souls? This..."

As a Title Douluo, he naturally knew what Twin Martial Souls meant.

It was a talent that appeared once in hundreds of millions, yet it was not necessarily a good thing. It was as though heaven itself envied such people.

Over the thousands of years of Douluo Continent's history, only the one in Pope Hall had truly grown into a powerful Twin Martial Soul wielder.

Most others with Twin Martial Souls exploded and died while absorbing Soul Rings because they could not withstand the impact of Soul Power.

In Dugu Bo's current view, Lin Yao possessed great talent and even Soul Rings beyond his age limit. For a single Martial Soul Soul Master, that was an enormous advantage. But the eighteen Soul Rings required by Twin Martial Souls would place unimaginable pressure on the body. It might not be a good thing after all.

He felt as though Lin Yao was walking along the edge of a cliff, capable of exploding and dying at any moment. He could not help feeling regret for him.

However, it was also Dugu Bo's first time seeing Twin Martial Souls in person. In addition, Lin Yao's Star Body had yet to absorb Soul Rings, so Dugu Bo did not immediately notice the true significance of both Martial Souls appearing at once.

Just as Dugu Bo fell into thought, the power of the Star Sword and Star Body continued to spread. He suddenly felt that the restless poison within his body had become far more docile.

The numb itching and stabbing pain that had troubled him for years also clearly weakened. His entire body filled with an indescribable sense of ease and comfort.

In an instant, he no longer had the mind to regret Lin Yao's situation. He immersed himself completely in that comfortable sensation, an expression of enjoyment appearing on his face.

He had not experienced such a feeling for decades.

"Senior Dugu, please sit cross-legged and follow my guidance to ease the poison in your body."

Sensing the changes in Dugu Bo's poison, Lin Yao smiled and reminded him softly.

This method of suppressing poison was something he had developed by combining his medical knowledge, the Five Elements Power within him, and the special power of the Star Body. Its effect was even better than he had expected.

As a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo naturally had an extremely discerning eye. He immediately saw the value of this method.

Without the slightest hesitation, he sat cross-legged on the ground, formed seals with his hands, and began circulating his Soul Power. Following Lin Yao's guidance, he gradually sorted through the poison within his body.

With the aid of the Star Sword and Star Body, together with Dugu Bo's own Soul Power, the poison in his body was gradually sorted out and suppressed in an orderly manner.

The Soul Power that had originally become dim because of the poison also gradually regained some of its luster.

Half an hour passed in an instant. The poison within Dugu Bo's body had already been suppressed to its lowest level.

His complexion had become far rosier, and his entire mental state had been completely renewed.

"Hu!"

Dugu Bo slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath of foul air.

Then he stood up and stared fixedly at his own hands. His eyes were full of disbelief as he clenched his fists hard, feeling an unprecedented ease within his body. Even his excited voice trembled.

"Suppressed! It has truly been suppressed!"

For decades, the terrifying poison that had often caused him unbearable agony had now truly been suppressed.

Though he knew it was only a temporary effect, it was enough to make him ecstatic. This was the first time in decades that he had seen hope of solving the poison inside his body.

"Senior, what do you think? Is this poison-suppressing method of mine, which combines my own powers, satisfactory?

"As for what I mentioned earlier—using some special materials to solve your worries for more than a decade—you should believe it somewhat now, right?"

Lin Yao looked at Dugu Bo's excited appearance and asked with a smile.

"It truly is unbelievable! Who would have thought that someone as young as you could possess such methods?"

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Dugu Bo's mouth. He shook his head, his eyes full of emotion.

"I, Dugu Bo, broke through to become a Title Douluo and can be considered an outstanding figure on Douluo Continent. Yet I never expected that a seven-year-old Soul Elder would repeatedly reshape my worldview."

"Yao, what materials do you need? Just say the word. Anything I can provide, I'll give to you!"

Dugu Bo's tone grew more cordial as he returned to the way he had addressed Lin Yao before.

"Also, with your abilities, you must be able to see the root of the problem with the poison in my body. If possible, help me resolve it as well.

As long as you can do it, this Title Douluo will follow your lead from now on!"

At this moment, Dugu Bo had long since cast his previous dissatisfaction with Lin Yao to the winds. All that remained in his heart was a desperate desire to resolve the poison within his body.

Lin Yao was not surprised by Dugu Bo's change of heart, the kind where whoever offered help became family.

After all, not only could he help Dugu Bo resolve the poisonous agony that had plagued him for decades, he could also help his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, grow rapidly. Anyone would likely make the same choice.

He smiled and said,

"There's no need for Senior Dugu to say it. I'll help Sister Yanyan resolve her problem as well.

The materials I need are actually very simple. You only need to take me to the place where you seclude yourself—a place with powerful Ice Fire Power and all kinds of potent medicinal herbs growing there.

You needn't deny it. From the moment you arrived, I could already sense traces of pure Ice Fire Power and a lingering wisp of medicinal power within your body."

"So that's what you were after, brat!"

Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into hearty laughter. He did not hide anything and admitted it outright.

"I do have quite a few rare materials there. I gathered them over the years while traveling throughout Douluo Continent."

He did not mind that Lin Yao knew the secret of his secluded retreat.

Right now, his heart was solely focused on resolving the problems affecting himself and his granddaughter. He had no attention to spare for anything else.

Besides, in his view, resolving the matter at his own lair would certainly be safer than doing so here at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and it would put him more at ease.

Seeing Dugu Bo agree so readily, Lin Yao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he obtained the materials he needed, he would not only be able to temporarily resolve Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's problems, but also give his own strength and that of those around him a comprehensive boost.