Sunset Forest, Subduing the Poison Douluo

Two days later.

Deep within the Sunset Forest.

Yi Chen stood at the entrance of the valley with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping calmly over the herb garden shrouded in various toxic mists ahead.

His posture was as straight as a pine, his white robes fluttering slightly in the wind. He did not release any soul power barrier, yet the poisonous miasma—capable of killing an ordinary Soul Saint instantly—dissipated automatically upon coming within three feet of him, as if encountering some invisible barrier.

He stepped into the valley, his pace unhurried, as if walking through an empty land.

Passing through the narrow crevice, the scene of the herb garden came into full view. Rare flowers and exotic grasses of all colors swayed in the swirling spiritual energy, the air thick with a scent that intertwined rich medicinal fragrance with a fishy, sweet toxicity.

Yi Chen's gaze swept past the precious herbs, finally settling on three immortal herbs deep in the garden that radiated a unique glow.

Silk Tulip, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Love Sickness Heartbroken Red.

"Found them." The corners of his mouth curled up, and he stepped forward to pluck them.

"Who dares trespass in this old man's garden?!"

A cold shout exploded suddenly, accompanied by a chilling pressure sweeping in from the depths of the valley. Immediately after, a dark green figure appeared in the sky above the garden like Gui Mei, standing in mid-air.

It was an old man with a full head of green hair and a withered face, his triangular eyes flashing with a sinister light. He wore a dark green robe embroidered with a baring, clawing venomous snake, and his body was wreathed in thick green mist that emitted a nauseating, fishy stench.

Dugu Bo, titled "Poison," a level 92 Control-type Battle Soul Douluo.

He looked down at Yi Chen from above, his eyes filled with scrutiny and vigilance. But as his gaze swept over Yi Chen, his heart skipped a beat.

This young man, facing the pressure of a Title Douluo, was actually showing no change in expression?

Furthermore, he could not see through the other's cultivation!

"Who are you? Why have you broken into this old man's garden?" Dugu Bo asked in a deep voice, the toxic mist around him surging more violently, clearly prepared to strike at any moment.

Yi Chen raised his head and gave him a faint glance.

Just one glance.

Dugu Bo felt as if he had been targeted by an ancient ferocious beast, a chill instantly crawling up his back! His Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor martial soul trembled at that moment, as if it had encountered some higher-level existence!

"Your garden?" Yi Chen's tone was flat. "Perfect, I was just looking for you."

He pointed a finger toward the three immortal herbs deep in the garden. "I want those three herbs. Additionally, I can help you and your granddaughter, Dugu Yan, resolve the poison within your bodies while I'm at it."

Dugu Bo's pupils contracted violently!

The backlash of the poison within him was his greatest secret! And the fact that his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, had also inherited the innate poison of the Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor was something only he knew! How could this young man he had never met know it so clearly?!

"You... who exactly are you?!" Dugu Bo's voice became low and hoarse. The toxic mist around him surged even more violently as nine soul rings lit up simultaneously, emitting a piercing pressure.

Yi Chen did not answer, merely raising his right hand gently.

BOOM—!!!

A terrifying pressure, extreme and world-shattering, descended with a roar!

Dugu Bo felt his head buzz, as if he had been struck hard by an invisible mountain! The soul power circulating within him was like a clay ox entering the sea in the face of this pressure, instantly suppressed into nothingness! His nine soul rings dimmed, as if they were subjects encountering a monarch, not even daring to shine!

And his Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor martial soul, of which he was so proud, was shivering behind him!

Yes, shivering!

His martial soul was afraid!

"Limit... Limit Douluo?!" Dugu Bo's voice was hoarse and trembling, his eyes filled with sheer horror. His legs went weak uncontrollably, and he fell from mid-air, dropping to one knee and bracing his hands on the ground to barely keep from collapsing entirely.

A Limit Douluo!

This young man who looked less than twenty years old was actually a Limit Douluo standing at the very pinnacle of the Douluo Continent!

Yi Chen slowly withdrew his pressure, standing with his hands behind his back, looking down at the kneeling Dugu Bo with a flat tone. "Now, can we talk properly?"

Dugu Bo gasped for air, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He struggled to raise his head, looking at the young man in white as snow, his heart churning like a stormy sea.

He had roamed the continent for decades and didn't even give much face to Spirit Hall, but at this moment, in the face of absolute power, he had to bow his head.

"Senior... what are your instructions?" Dugu Bo's voice was bitter, yet he dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Yi Chen was satisfied with his attitude and said lightly, "I said just now, I am taking those three immortal herbs. As compensation, I can help you resolve the Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor poison in your and your granddaughter's bodies."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo suddenly raised his head, a glimmer of disbelief flashing in his eyes. "Is what you say true, Senior?!"

The backlash of the poison had tormented him for most of his life; he had searched for famous doctors and heavenly treasures across the world, yet could never cure it. If this Limit Douluo before him could truly help him detoxify...

"I never speak nonsense." Yi Chen reached out, a flash of light appearing in his palm as an immortal herb, entirely crimson and shaped like a coiled dragon, appeared out of thin air. The moment it appeared, the surrounding air seemed to grow hotter, and a rich, bloody scent mixed with a crisp medicinal fragrance permeated the area. The herb's stem was gnarled like dragon claws, and its leaves were covered in fine golden patterns, with the faint sound of a dragon's roar emanating from within.

The moment Dugu Bo's gaze touched the herb, his pupils contracted violently!

With his eyes, which had been immersed in the way of herbs for many years, he could tell at a glance that the grade of this immortal herb far exceeded any heavenly treasure in his garden!

"This... what is this?"

"Dragon Blood Immortal Herb," Yi Chen said calmly. "Born in the place where dragons fell, nurtured by the essence of true dragon blood and the earth's vitality. Consuming it can cleanse the meridians, reshape the foundation, and has a very small chance of prompting a beast martial soul to undergo ancestral evolution."

(PS: A brief explanation of its origin: This immortal herb was created by the protagonist 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 Phosphorus Snake Emperor martial soul consumes this herb, there is a seventy percent chance it will evolve into a Jade Phosphorus Dragon Emperor. At that time, the poison in your body will no longer be a burden, but will instead become your asset. As for your granddaughter's problem, I have an Earth Dragon Golden Melon here; after consuming it, her martial soul can evolve into a Jade Scale Golden Dragon, with potential far exceeding your own."

Dugu Bo's breathing became rapid in an instant!

The method to cure his poison, which he had spent half his life searching for, was now laid out right before his eyes! Not only could it cure his poison, but it could also evolve his martial soul! This was nothing short of a heaven-sent opportunity!

"Senior..." Dugu Bo's voice trembled slightly. "Why... why would you treat me with such generosity?"

Yi Chen put away the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed ahead with profound eyes. "Because I have taken a liking to you and your herb garden."

"...What?"

"I need manpower." Yi Chen spoke bluntly. "I am promoting a game called 'Battle of the Golden Spatula' across the continent, and I need someone familiar with the southern region of the Heaven Dou Empire to help me manage affairs. Although you, Dugu Bo, have a rather foul temper, you are at least a Titled Douluo and a guest of honor in the Heaven Dou Empire. Your status and standing are sufficient."

He paused, a faint, enigmatic smile curling the corners of his lips. "Of course, you may refuse. But in that case, I will still take those three immortal herbs, and as for the poison inside you and your granddaughter, you will have to find someone else to help."

Dugu Bo fell silent.

Having lived for more than half a century, how could he fail to hear the intent to recruit him in Yi Chen's words?

But the question was, did he have the capital to refuse?

The person before him was a Limit Douluo. If he wished, he could easily slap him to death and ransack the entire herb garden. Yet, he had not done so; instead, he had offered a peerless treasure like the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb as a condition for exchange. This was already giving him more than enough face.

Furthermore, the poison afflicting him and his granddaughter was indeed an urgent, life-threatening problem.

Thinking of this, Dugu Bo took a deep breath, lowered his head, and said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate, Dugu Bo, is willing to serve you, Senior!"

Yi Chen nodded in satisfaction and flicked his finger. The Dragon Blood Immortal Herb turned into a streak of red light, landing precisely in Dugu Bo's hands.

"Consume it and refine its medicinal power. Once your martial soul evolution is complete, I have further tasks for you."

Dugu Bo held the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb in both hands, feeling the vast energy contained within it, and his heart surged with uncontrollable excitement. He bowed solemnly to Yi Chen, then placed the immortal herb into his mouth without hesitation.

The next moment, a scorching energy erupted violently within his body!

Dugu Bo let out a muffled groan and quickly sat cross-legged, circulating his soul power to guide the rampaging medicinal energy through his entire body. The poisonous mist around him churned violently, the emerald light flickering on and off, and the faint sound of a dragon's roar emanated from within him.

Yi Chen stood to the side with his hands behind his back, watching quietly as Dugu Bo refined the medicinal power, his gaze as calm as still water.

A moment later, he turned and walked into the depths of the herb garden, carefully harvesting the three immortal herbs and storing them in his soul tool.

"Silk Tulip, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Love Sickness Heartbroken Red..." he muttered to himself. "The gifts for the three girls are finally all collected."

Having finished this, he walked back to Dugu Bo's side, sat cross-legged on a bluestone, and closed his eyes to rest.

Once Dugu Bo finished refining the medicinal power, he still had many things to instruct him on.

The layout for the Battle of the Golden Spatula on the southern front was finally ready to officially begin.