Two days later
Deep in Sunset Forest.
Yi Chen stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance to the valley, his calm gaze sweeping over the medicinal garden ahead, shrouded in poisonous mists of every color.
His figure was as straight as a pine, his white robes stirring gently in the breeze. He had not released any Soul Power barrier, yet the deadly miasma—enough to kill an ordinary Soul Saint in an instant—dissipated on its own within three feet of him, as if it had encountered some invisible shield.
He stepped into the valley, unhurried, as though he were walking into an empty place.
After passing through a narrow crevice, the medicinal garden spread out before him. Strange flowers and rare herbs of every color swayed amid the hazy spiritual energy. The air was thick with the mingled scents of rich medicinal fragrance and the sickly sweetness of poison.
Yi Chen's gaze passed over the rare medicinal ingredients before settling on three Immortal Herbs deep in the garden, each giving off a unique glow.
Aromatic Silk Beauty, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
"Found them." His lips curled slightly as he stepped forward to pick them.
"Who dares trespass in this old man's medicinal garden?!"
A sharp shout boomed through the valley, followed by an icy pressure sweeping out from its depths. A dark green figure then appeared above the medicinal garden like a ghost, hovering in midair.
He was an old man with a head of green hair and a gaunt face. His triangular eyes gleamed with a chilling light. He wore a dark green robe embroidered with a venomous snake baring its fangs and claws. Thick green mists swirled around him, releasing a nauseating, rancid stench.
Dugu Bo, titled "Poison," a level-ninety-two control-type Battle Soul Douluo.
He looked down at Yi Chen, his eyes full of scrutiny and wariness. But when his gaze swept over Yi Chen, his heart gave an involuntary jolt.
This young man had faced the pressure of a Titled Douluo without even changing expression?
And he couldn't see through the other man's cultivation at all!
"Who are you? Why have you entered this old man's medicinal garden?" Dugu Bo asked in a low voice. The poisonous mist around him surged even more violently; he was clearly prepared to strike at any moment.
Yi Chen lifted his head and glanced at him.
Just one look.
Yet Dugu Bo felt as though an ancient Ferocious Beast had fixed its eyes on him. A chill shot up his spine! His Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul trembled for an instant, as if it had encountered some existence of a higher order!
"Your medicinal garden?" Yi Chen said calmly. "How convenient. I was just looking for you."
He pointed toward the three Immortal Herbs deep in the garden. "I want those three herbs. Also, I can take care of the poison inside you and your granddaughter, Dugu Yan, while I'm at it."
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply!
The poison backlash inside him was his greatest secret! His granddaughter Dugu Yan had also inherited the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's innate poison. Only he knew about that! How could this complete stranger know so much?
"Y-you, who exactly are you?!" Dugu Bo's voice turned low and hoarse. The poisonous mist surged even more violently around him as all nine Soul Rings lit up, releasing an oppressive force.
Yi Chen didn't answer. He simply raised his right hand.
BOOM—!!!
A pressure so terrifying it seemed to split the heavens and earth crashed down!
Dugu Bo's head rang. It felt as if an invisible mountain had slammed into him! The Soul Power coursing through his body vanished beneath that pressure, suppressed without a trace! His nine Soul Rings dimmed as well, like ministers before their sovereign, not daring to shine!
And the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul he took such pride in trembled behind him!
Yes, trembled!
His Martial Soul was afraid!
"A L-Limit Douluo?!" Dugu Bo's voice rasped and shook, his eyes filled with utter horror. His legs went weak against his will, and he fell straight from the air, dropping to one knee. He braced himself against the ground with both hands, barely managing not to collapse face-first.
A Limit Douluo!
This young man, who looked not yet twenty, was a Limit Douluo standing at the very summit of Douluo Continent!
Yi Chen slowly withdrew the pressure and stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the kneeling Dugu Bo. His voice remained calm. "Can we talk properly now?"
Dugu Bo gasped for breath, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. With difficulty, he raised his head and looked at the young man in white, whose robes were as pristine as snow. His thoughts churned like a storm-tossed sea.
He had roamed the continent for decades and barely bothered to show Spirit Hall any deference. Yet faced with absolute strength, he had no choice but to bow his head.
"Senior... what would you have me do?" Dugu Bo's voice was bitter, but he didn't dare show the slightest disrespect.
Yi Chen seemed satisfied with his attitude. "As I said, I'm taking those three Immortal Herbs. In exchange, I can resolve the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor poison inside you and your granddaughter."
Dugu Bo jerked his head up, a flash of disbelief in his eyes. "Senior, do you mean that?!"
The poison backlash inside him had tormented him for most of his life. He had sought out every famous doctor and rare treasure under the heavens, yet never found a cure. If this Limit Douluo could really help him...
"I don't waste words." Yi Chen extended his hand. A flash of light appeared in his palm, and an Immortal Herb came into being—a crimson plant shaped like a coiling dragon. The air around it seemed to grow several degrees hotter. A rich scent of blood mingled with a crisp medicinal fragrance, filling the air. Its roots twisted like dragon claws, and its leaves were covered in fine golden patterns. Faint dragon roars seemed to echo from within it.
The moment Dugu Bo's gaze fell on the herb, his pupils contracted sharply!
With his years of experience in the medicinal arts, he could tell at a glance that this Immortal Herb far surpassed every rare treasure in his garden!
"This... what is it?"
"Dragon Blood Immortal Herb," Yi Chen said calmly. "It grows where dragons have fallen, nurtured by true dragon blood and the essence of the earth. Taking it can cleanse your meridians and rebuild your foundation. There's even a very small chance it can trigger a Beast Martial Soul's ancestral evolution."
(PS: To explain its origins, the protagonist created this Immortal Herb himself. Yi Chen will use his ninth Soul Skill later.)
He looked at Dugu Bo, his gaze calm yet carrying an unquestionable pressure. "If your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul takes this herb, it has a seventy percent chance of evolving into a Jade Phosphorus Dragon Emperor. Then the poison inside you will no longer be a burden; it will become your strength. As for your granddaughter, I have an Earth Dragon Golden Melon here as well. After taking it, her Martial Soul can evolve into a Jade Scale Golden Dragon, with potential far beyond yours."
Dugu Bo's breathing instantly grew ragged!
The cure he had sought for half his life was right in front of him! And it wouldn't just cure the poison—it could evolve his Martial Soul! This was an incredible stroke of fortune!
"Senior..." Dugu Bo's voice trembled. "Why... why are you treating me so generously?"
Yi Chen put away the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb and stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze profound. "Because I've taken a liking to you and your medicinal garden."
"...What?"
"I need people," Yi Chen said bluntly. "I'm promoting a game called 'Teamfight Tactics' across the continent, and I need someone familiar with the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire to help me manage things. Your temper may be a bit foul, Dugu Bo, but you're a Titled Douluo and a distinguished guest of the Heaven Dou Empire. You have the status and standing for the job."
He paused, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faintly amused smile. "Of course, you can refuse. But if you do, I'll still take those three Immortal Herbs, and you and your granddaughter will have to find someone else to cure your poison."
Dugu Bo fell silent.
He had lived more than half his life. How could he fail to hear the offer of recruitment in Yi Chen's words?
But the question was, did he have the right to refuse?
The man before him was a Limit Douluo. If he wanted, he could have slapped Dugu Bo to death and ransacked the entire garden. But he hadn't. Instead, he had offered a peerless treasure like the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb as part of the bargain. That was already more than enough respect.
Besides, the poison afflicting him and his granddaughter was an urgent problem.
At last, Dugu Bo took a deep breath and lowered his head. "Your subordinate, Dugu Bo, is willing to serve you, Senior!"
Yi Chen nodded with satisfaction and flicked a finger. The Dragon Blood Immortal Herb became a streak of red light and landed precisely in Dugu Bo's hands.
"Take it and refine its medicinal power. Once your Martial Soul has finished evolving, I'll have another task for you."
Holding the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb in both hands, Dugu Bo could feel the immense energy contained within it. His excitement was impossible to contain. He bowed solemnly to Yi Chen, then swallowed the herb without hesitation.
The next moment, a blazing energy exploded inside him!
Dugu Bo grunted and quickly sat cross-legged, circulating his Soul Power to guide the violent medicinal force through his body. The poisonous mist around him churned violently, its emerald light flickering on and off. Faint dragon roars sounded from within him.
Yi Chen stood nearby with his hands behind his back, watching Dugu Bo refine the medicinal power, his gaze as calm as still water.
A short while later, he turned and walked deeper into the garden. He carefully picked the three Immortal Herbs and put them into his Storage Soul Tool.
"Aromatic Silk Beauty, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Lovesick Heartbreak Red..." he murmured. "The gifts for the three girls are finally ready."
When he had finished, he returned to Dugu Bo's side, sat cross-legged on a boulder, and closed his eyes to rest.
He still had plenty to discuss once Dugu Bo had finished refining the medicinal power.
It was time to officially launch Golden Spatula's plans on the southern front.