Immortal Herb Exchange Code

Upon hearing the names "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect" and "Sword Douluo," Dugu Yan's pupils contracted slightly. She hurriedly bowed to Sword Douluo, her attitude becoming much more respectful:

"This junior is Dugu Yan. Greetings, Senior Sword Douluo. I have long heard of your great name. To meet you today is the honor of three lifetimes."

Sword Douluo nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment as a thoughtful look flashed through his eyes. "You are Dugu Bo's granddaughter?"

"Yes." Dugu Yan answered respectfully, secretly surprised that Sword Douluo had recognized her background at a glance.

"My grandfather is Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. This junior came alone to Sunset Forest to hunt a spirit ring, hoping to prove my own abilities. I never expected to nearly meet with disaster. Fortunately, Brother Lin Ming came to my rescue."

Sword Douluo nodded, thinking to himself, What a stroke of luck. I was just wondering how to find Dugu Bo, and now his granddaughter has delivered herself right to my doorstep.

This luck was truly something else.

He stroked his beard, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. "Since you are Dugu Bo's granddaughter, then this is quite convenient. I happen to have some matters to discuss with your grandfather. Do you know where he currently is?"

Just as Dugu Yan was about to answer, a dark green figure suddenly descended from the sky, landing soundlessly in front of her like a fallen leaf.

He was a tall, lean old man dressed in a dark green robe embroidered with twisted serpent patterns, making him look eerie and mysterious.

His hair was gray, his face gaunt, and his cheekbones high. An astute gleam flickered within his deeply sunken eyes, as though he could see through people's hearts.

A faintly sweet, fishy scent emanated from him—the smell of someone who had spent years among poisons. It made people instinctively want to retreat several steps.

He was none other than Poison Douluo—Dugu Bo.

"Yan Yan! Are you all right?" Dugu Bo grabbed Dugu Yan by the shoulders, his withered fingers tightening slightly. His eyes were full of worry and anxiety as he inspected her from head to toe, afraid she might be missing even a single hair.

"You foolish child, why are you so disobedient? Didn't Grandpa tell you that you must wait for Grandpa to accompany you when hunting spirit beasts? You ran off by yourself. What if something had happened? What would Grandpa have done? If anything had happened to you, what meaning would there be in this old bag of bones continuing to live?"

Dugu Yan was shaken so hard that her head spun, and she quickly begged for mercy:

"Grandpa, I was wrong! Isn't that enough? I'm fine, aren't I? Brother Lin Ming saved me. Otherwise, I really would have died here today. Stop nagging already. My ears are practically growing calluses."

Only then did Dugu Bo notice Lin Ming standing nearby. He looked him over, nodded faintly, and his tone softened somewhat:

"Kid, thank you for saving Yan Yan. I will remember this favor. If you ever need help with anything, just speak. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."

Lin Ming cupped his hands. "You are too polite, Senior. It was only a small effort. Drawing one's blade to help when encountering injustice is only proper."

Dugu Bo was about to say more when the corner of his eye caught Sword Douluo standing not far away. His pupils suddenly contracted, and his entire body instantly tensed, as if he had encountered a natural enemy.

"Chen Xin? Why are you here?"

Sword Douluo stood with his hands behind his back and smiled faintly, utterly composed.

"Old Poison Snake, it has been many years, yet you are still the same as ever. What, you are allowed to retire here in Sunset Forest, but I am not allowed to take a stroll? Is Sunset Forest your Household or something?"

Dugu Bo snorted, his expression darkening. "Stop with your sarcastic nonsense. Tell me, what are you doing in Sunset Forest? Don't tell me you came sightseeing. I do not believe that. What kind of person are you, Chen Xin? Do I not know? You never visit without a reason. You must have some purpose."

Just as Sword Douluo was about to speak, Ning Rongrong rushed forward first. Her large eyes stared straight at Dugu Bo as she asked with curiosity and anticipation:

"Are you Senior Poison Douluo Dugu Bo? That's wonderful! I heard you have a medicinal garden filled with immortal herbs. Is that true? Can you sell it to us? Is ten million gold soul coins enough?"

Dugu Bo's expression instantly darkened, as though someone had touched his reverse scale.

That medicinal garden was his greatest secret and the foundation of his survival.

He had spent decades finding that place, then poured endless effort into growing a vast quantity of rare medicinal herbs there to research methods of detoxification and treat the snake venom afflicting himself and his granddaughter.

To him, that medicinal garden was his lifeblood, even more important than his own life. Forget ten million gold soul coins—even one hundred million would not make him sell it.

"Not for sale." Dugu Bo coldly spat out two words, leaving no room for negotiation.

Ning Rongrong grew anxious and stamped her foot. "Why not? It's not like I'm refusing to pay! If you think it's too little, I can offer more! Twenty million? Thirty million? Just name your price! Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may lack everything, but money is not one of them! Name any price you want. I will not haggle!"

Dugu Bo's expression became even uglier, and impatience flashed through his eyes. "Little girl, I said it is not for sale. Even if you brought mountains of gold and silver, I would not sell it. Keep pestering me, and do not blame me for being rude."

The atmosphere instantly turned stiff, and the air filled with the scent of gunpowder.

Sword Douluo frowned and was about to smooth things over when Lin Ming stepped forward first, shielding Ning Rongrong behind him.

"Senior Dugu, please calm your anger." Lin Ming spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, his tone peaceful and composed.

"Rongrong is young and does not understand. She offended you, so I ask that you forgive her. She was only anxious and meant no harm. However, we truly are interested in that medicinal garden, because this junior heard that within it lies a treasured place called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The immortal herbs nurtured there are greatly beneficial to cultivation. That is why we rashly asked. Please do not take offense, Senior."

Dugu Bo snorted, his expression easing slightly. "So what if you know? It belongs to me. If I say I will not give it to you, then I will not give it to you. You should give up on that idea as soon as possible."

Lin Ming smiled slightly, then abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming meaningful.

"Senior Dugu, may this junior ask something presumptuous? Recently, whenever the weather turns cloudy or rainy, have you felt numbness and itching beneath both sides of your ribs? And does it flare up once at noon and once at midnight, lasting at least two hours each time?"

The sneer on Dugu Bo's face instantly froze, and he stood rooted in place as if struck by lightning.

His eyes widened as he stared fixedly at Lin Ming. His voice carried disbelief and wariness. "How do you know? Who told you? Just who are you?"

Lin Ming remained unhurried and continued, "Not only that, but every night around midnight, there should also be stabbing pain like needles in the crown of your head and the soles of your feet. The pain makes it impossible for you to sleep, and no matter how you toss and turn, it will not ease. Sometimes, it even leaves you drenched in cold sweat, right?"