The Suppressed Dugu Bo

That cold and overbearing pressure was like a tangible swamp, instantly shrouding the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well valley, causing even the active ice and fire elements in the air to seemingly freeze in place.

Accompanied by that roar filled with shock and fury, a dark green figure appeared like a ghost amidst the poisonous miasma at the valley entrance; it was the master of this place, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo!

He had clearly sensed the abnormality in his herb garden through some form of connection and had rushed back in haste.

At this moment, his emerald-green snake pupils were locked firmly onto Lin Yi, who was rapidly harvesting the immortal herbs. Especially upon seeing the Aromatic Silk Beauty that had just vanished into his hands, and the noticeably empty patches in the surrounding garden, a towering rage surged straight to his crown!

These immortal herbs were the key to suppressing the deadly toxins within his body and extending his life; they were his hope for future breakthroughs!

"Little thief! Hand over your life!"

In his blind fury, Dugu Bo did not bother to examine the white-clad figure with restrained aura standing beside Lin Yi. His withered palm shot out, fingers curled into claws, and the dense, dark green poisonous mist instantly condensed into the phantom of a ferocious Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. Carrying a pungent, fishy stench and the power to corrode everything, it struck viciously at Lin Yi's back!

The angry strike of a Titled Douluo was terrifying in its power; if it landed, even with Lin Yi's current robust physique, he would undoubtedly be dead or crippled!

However, just as the phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor was about to touch the hem of Lin Yi's clothes.

"Hum!"

A clear, resonant sword hum echoed, as if coming from beyond the nine heavens, or perhaps from the depths of the soul.

Without any visible movement, a condensed, pure silver Sword Intent appeared out of thin air behind Lin Yi, striking after the fact but arriving first.

The Sword Intent was not a physical entity, yet it was sharper than any divine weapon. It hung there quietly, as if it had existed since the dawn of time, representing the rule of severing all things!

"Sss—"

The aggressive phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, the moment it touched that wisp of silver Sword Intent, was like snow meeting a scorching sun. It didn't even stir a ripple before it silently annihilated and dissipated, and even the dense poisonous mist was purified and scattered by an invisible force, as if it had never existed at all.

Dugu Bo's sure-kill strike had been dissolved into nothingness with such casual ease!

His charging figure froze abruptly, the rage on his face instantly replaced by extreme horror.

He stared fixedly at the slowly dissipating silver Sword Intent and the white-clad old man who had turned around at some point, watching him with a calm expression.

"Se... Seven Kill Sword Intent?!" Dugu Bo's voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling. He recognized this peerless Sword Intent, and he recognized the identity of the person before him. "Sword... Sword Douluo?!"

Chen Xin's expression remained indifferent, his gaze falling upon Dugu Bo like two invisible sharp swords. He did not speak, but the intangible pressure made Dugu Bo feel as if thousands of sword qi were hanging above his head, ready to fall at any moment and grind him into powder!

Level ninety-one versus level ninety-six, and the latter was the world's number one offensive Titled Douluo! The gap between them was like a natural chasm!

All of Dugu Bo's fury and unwillingness were forcibly suppressed back into his stomach in the face of this absolute disparity in strength.

He did not doubt for a moment that if he dared to make even the slightest move, the Seven Kill Sword would pierce his heart in the next instant.

He forced a smile that looked worse than crying, retracted all the soul power fluctuations and poisonous gas from his body, and bowed respectfully to Chen Xin: "I did not know it was Your Excellency Sword Douluo who had arrived. Dugu Bo was reckless just now and has committed many offenses; I hope Your Excellency will be magnanimous!"

He held himself in an extremely low posture, though his heart was filled with suspicion. Why would Sword Douluo Chen Xin appear in his herb garden?

And with a young man in tow?

Dammit, that boy was actually picking his immortal herbs! Could it be that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had also set its sights on this place?

Only then did Chen Xin speak slowly, his voice cold and detached, devoid of any worldly emotion: "Dugu Bo, this is my disciple, Lin Yi. I brought him out for training. The young man is ignorant and stumbled into this place by mistake, not knowing it was occupied. It was his fault for picking some of your herbs."

His words appeared to be criticizing Lin Yi, but in reality, they clarified Lin Yi's identity as Chen Xin's disciple! By using terms like "stumbled in" and "some," he casually redefined the nature of the intrusion and the theft of the immortal herbs.

Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. "Some" herbs?

He wasn't blind; that brat had almost plucked his garden bald!

Especially those most precious ones... But he dared to be angry yet dared not speak, so he could only follow the lead: "Not at all, not at all! Since he is the high disciple of Your Excellency Sword Douluo, then... then these herbs can be considered a gift from me to my nephew."

His heart was bleeding as he said these words.

He had cultivated and guarded these immortal herbs for who knows how many years; they were the foundation of his life!

Chen Xin naturally saw Dugu Bo's reluctance, but he didn't care, continuing: "My disciple acted rashly; I, Chen Xin, owe you a favor for this."

A favor!

A favor from Sword Douluo Chen Xin!

Dugu Bo's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

This promise was of immeasurable value! In a sense, it was even more precious than the immortal herbs that had been taken!

After all, immortal herbs were good, but what use were they if one lost their life?

With a favor from Sword Douluo, if he encountered a life-or-death crisis in the future, perhaps he would have a chance at survival!

The pain in his heart eased significantly, and he even felt that this trade... might not be a loss?

"Your Excellency is too kind; mere herbs are not worth mentioning," Dugu Bo said quickly, his expression looking much better.

At this moment, Lin Yi had finished collecting the last of his target immortal herbs and walked to Chen Xin's side.

He bowed to Dugu Bo, neither servile nor overbearing: "Junior Lin Yi did not know this place belonged to you, Senior. I picked some herbs and offended you; I ask for your forgiveness."

Dugu Bo looked at Lin Yi with a complex expression.

This brat had guts, and his eye for quality was sharp!

He only picked the best!

And to be so composed in front of Sword Douluo, he must indeed be Chen Xin's disciple.

Chen Xin glanced at Lin Yi, then said to Dugu Bo: "Additionally, I observe that the extreme cold energy at the ice eye of this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is of great benefit to my disciple's cultivation, even better than ordinary simulated environments. In the future, if he wishes to come here to cultivate using the ice eye, I hope you will not hinder him."

What?!

He wants to come back?!

Dugu Bo's eyelids twitched violently, and the temper he had just suppressed began to flare up once more.

This place was his lair, his herb garden, and his sanctuary for cultivation!

Was he supposed to let an outsider come and go as he pleased?

However, as he looked into Chen Xin's calm yet unquestionable eyes and felt the faint, lingering pressure of the Seven Kill Sword Intent locked onto him, all his reluctance and fury ultimately dissolved into helplessness and a sliver of dread.

Level ninety-one and level ninety-six were two entirely different concepts.

In the face of absolute strength, all his trump cards and methods of poisoning appeared pale and powerless.

Refuse? He did not doubt for a second that Sword Douluo would simply resort to "forceful seizure."

"...Since it is beneficial to your nephew's cultivation, I have no objections." Dugu Bo spoke through gritted teeth, his heart filled with bitterness.

This was just great; his home had been raided, and now he had to permit the thief to return and cultivate whenever he pleased...

"In that case, you have my thanks." Chen Xin nodded slightly, considering the agreement settled.

He was not worried about Dugu Bo reneging; in the face of absolute strength, any petty schemes were futile.

With the matter concluded, they departed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well valley.

Chen Xin intended to take Lin Yi back to Shrek Academy so he could continue staying by Ning Rongrong's side...

"Teacher, I will not be returning to Shrek for the time being." Lin Yi countered.

Chen Xin looked at him, his eyes filled with inquiry.

"Teacher, I am not going back to Shrek yet." Lin Yi's tone was solemn. "I ask that you take this disciple back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect instead. I have an urgent matter that requires me to see the Sect Master immediately. It is of great importance; the immortal herbs I just gathered have a vital use..."

He held the Aromatic Silk Beauty, which could resolve the defect of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, along with numerous other immortal herbs that could drastically boost their strength. This concerned the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and had to be delivered to Ning Fengzhi at the earliest opportunity.

As for Shrek, returning a few days late would be of no consequence. With the immortal herbs in his possession, the initiative remained in his hands.

Chen Xin took a deep look at Lin Yi. Although he did not know the specifics, seeing his serious expression, he knew it must be no small matter.

He nodded. "Very well."

Without further ado, Chen Xin's sword intent surged once more, enveloping Lin Yi and transforming into a heaven-shaking sword rainbow. Ignoring the poisonous miasma outside the valley, they shot into the sky and vanished into the horizon in an instant.

Dugu Bo was left alone, standing in the middle of his ravaged herb garden, looking at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which appeared much emptier after having most of its immortal herbs plucked away. His face cycled between shades of green and white.

He clenched his fists, only to release them powerlessly in the end.

"Sword Douluo... Lin Yi... Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect..." he muttered to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Forget it, forget it... A favor from Sword Douluo in exchange for these... it isn't too much of a loss..."

He consoled himself, but only he knew the true extent of the stifled rage in his heart.

After this incident, his herb garden was already half-ruined.

At this moment, atop the Seven Kill Sword, Lin Yi stroked the Aromatic Silk Beauty stored within his storage bracelet, his eyes bright.

The landscape of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and perhaps the future of the entire continent, might undergo earth-shattering changes due to his "interception" and return. His footsteps were steadily leading him toward a much grander stage.

That was what he thought; giving the Aromatic Silk Beauty to Ning Rongrong would be less effective than giving it to Ning Fengzhi...