Just as I thought! Lin Yan thought to himself. He put on a perfectly serious expression and asked, "Teacher, are you planning to... personally meet this Tang San?"
"Not bad." A cold glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. "I must personally confirm how he resisted the Jade Phosphorus Snake Venom. If it's just a coincidence or a special Soul Skill, that's fine. But if it's truly a natural counter, or if he's mastered some method that can widely counteract our clan's venom... Hmph!"
That cold snort already contained boundless chilling intent.
Lin Yan knew the time was right; he had to deliver the most crucial information. He feigned thought and slowly said, "Teacher, this matter concerns the safety of the family, so caution is warranted. However, before you act, I've recently overheard some rumors about this Tang San, which... perhaps warrant our attention."
"Oh? What rumor?" Dugu Bo looked at Lin Yan. He knew that his disciple was well-informed and often knew secrets that were difficult for ordinary people to access.
Lin Yan organized his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "This Tang San seems to have a rather mysterious background. He comes from Holy Soul Village, a remote little village, yet he possesses Twin Martial Souls. The other Martial Soul... according to a very few insiders, is suspected to be the Clear Sky Hammer!"
" The Clear Sky Hammer?" Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly contracted. "The number one Tool Martial Soul in the world, the direct lineage Martial Soul of the Clear Sky Sect?"
"Exactly." Lin Yan nodded affirmatively, then dropped another bombshell, "Moreover, according to even more cryptic information, his father is not an ordinary villager, but is very likely... the Clear Sky Douluo who was famous throughout the continent more than a decade ago, but later disappeared without a trace— Tang Hao!"
" Tang Hao?!" Dugu Bo exclaimed in a low voice, his face showing shock for the first time. Even as Titled Douluo, hearing this name stirred up a storm in his heart. That was the formidable man who single-handedly Qian Xunji, the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall! He was one of the true powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of the continent!
"Is the information reliable?" Dugu Bo's voice was slightly hoarse.
Lin Yan solemnly said, "It's better to believe it's true than not to believe it's not. Teacher, think about it, how could a child from a small village possess Twin Martial Souls? And how could he have such strength at such a young age, even having a way to counter the venom of the Jade Phosphorus Snake Venom? If Clear Sky Douluo is standing behind him, then all of this seems to have a reasonable explanation. Perhaps his ability to be immune to poison comes from some kind of treasure taught or given to him by Tang Hao."
He paused, observing Dugu Bo's drastically changed expression, and continued to raise his stakes, "Teacher, if Tang San is truly Tang Hao's son, if you harm him... the consequences would be unimaginable. Tang Hao is a man of fierce and domineering nature, extremely protective of his own. Back then, he dared to confront the entire Spirit Hall for his wife. If his beloved son is killed, he will surely fight to the death! At that time, even if you, Teacher, are not afraid, what about Yanyan? What about the Dugu Family? Can we withstand the mad revenge of a peak Clear Sky Douluo?"
Lin Yan's words were like ice water poured over his head, instantly calming Dugu Bo, whose mind was filled with murderous intent and vigilance.
He had only considered eliminating potential threats, but overlooked the enormous force that might be behind Tang San. Indeed, if Tang San was truly Tang Hao's son, then touching him would be like stirring up a hornet's nest—no, it would be like disturbing a dragon's lair!
It was true that Dugu Bo was Titled Douluo, but he knew he was no match for Tang Hao. Moreover, Tang Hao was elusive and swift as the wind; if he were determined to take revenge, Dugu Bo would be completely defenseless. He might not fear death, but what about Yanyan? What about the Dugu Family's legacy?
To confront a present, certain, and irresistible devastating blow in order to eliminate a future "possible" threat is undoubtedly extremely foolish.
Dugu Bo fell silent.
The murderous intent on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of apprehension and weighing of options. He paced slowly in the courtyard, his brow furrowed, clearly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
Lin Yan knew his words had worked, and pressed on, "Teacher, I believe the most urgent task is not to eliminate Tang San directly, but to thoroughly understand the root cause of his immunity to poison. The key to this might lie in you personally 'talking' with him. However, the method and purpose of this 'talk' need to be adjusted."
Dugu Bo stopped and looked at Lin Yan: "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, teacher, you can still 'invite' him over for a chat," Lin Yan analyzed. "Our main objective is to find out the secret behind Tang San's immunity to poison. If it's a skill or knowledge that can be learned or copied, we might be able to trade for it, and even use it to improve the Jade Phosphorus Snake Venom. If it's a unique talent or opportunity that can't be widely disseminated, then as long as he promises not to pass on the method of restraint and makes a vow, we don't necessarily need to kill him outright. After all, the threat level of an individual restraint that cannot be widely spread is limited."
Lin Yan's thinking was clear and well-organized.
After listening, Dugu Bo patted Lin Yan on the shoulder, his tone filled with unprecedented emotion. " Yan'er, fortunately, your words are reasonable... If his father really is Tang Hao, and I acted impulsively, I'm afraid I'll bring a terrible disaster upon the family!"
He admitted that when he heard Yanyan say that Tang San was not afraid of snake venom, his first thought was to eliminate the threat. If Lin Yan hadn't pointed out Tang San's terrifying background in time, he might have really gone to his door directly and solved the problem in the most brutal way, and the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Teacher, you flatter me. This is my duty," Lin Yan said humbly.
Dugu Bo nodded, his eyes regaining their sharpness and composure, but the killing intent had been subdued. "You're right, this matter requires careful consideration. I must meet with this Tang San, but I must do it differently. I need to find out the reason why he's immune to poison, and also probe his true relationship with Tang Hao... As for how to handle it, we'll see."
He looked up at the completely dark night sky, dotted with stars, the moonlight cold and clear.
"The son of Haotian Douluo Tang Hao... Hehe, this continent is getting more and more interesting." Dugu Bo's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "It seems this old man must personally go to Shrek Academy to 'pay a visit' to this young talent."
Looking at Dugu Bo's expression, Lin Yan knew that he had taken her words to heart, and felt a little more at ease.
In this way, the situation when the two meet again will be completely different from the original story. Tang San may no longer face a life-or-death crisis, but he shouldn't expect to easily obtain the great opportunity of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well from Dugu Bo.
As for how things will develop, Lin Yan couldn't fully predict. But he knew that because of his intervention, the trajectory of the story had quietly shifted.