Douluo: Spiritual Sword

"Whew!" Half an hour later, Dugu Bo let out a long breath, looking at his hands in disbelief as he stood up. "It's suppressed... it's really suppressed!"

Dugu Bo was so overwhelmed with excitement that he could hardly contain himself. For decades, he had endured the excruciating pain that struck him every night. Today, however, it was actually suppressed. He could feel that for at least the next month or two, his severe poison would not flare up.

"Senior, how is it? This is my self-created method for suppressing severe poison. I would greatly appreciate your guidance," Tian Lin said with a smile.

"What did you say? This is your creation? Not something Chen Xin taught you?" Dugu Bo couldn't believe it. Such a delicate and intricate formula came from the hands of an eight-year-old child.

"Yes," Tian Lin replied. "When I was young, I found a book that recorded many detoxification methods. Based on the techniques in that book, I created this formula. Even my master doesn't know about it." Tian Lin used the same excuse as the original Tang San to explain.

Although this excuse was full of loopholes, Tian Lin knew Dugu Bo wouldn't dig too deep. After all, as a soul master, who didn't have secrets they couldn't share?

"Wait, your master doesn't know? Then how did you know about my symptoms?" Dugu Bo quickly realized the flaw in Tian Lin's story. If Chen Xin didn't know this formula, how could he have sent Tian Lin to help?

Tian Lin sighed helplessly. "Senior, I beg your pardon. The truth is that my master doesn't know about your symptoms at all. Right now, I am the only one on the entire continent who knows. However, if I hadn't said what I did before, first, you wouldn't have believed me, and second, I probably wouldn't have even finished speaking before you killed me to silence me."

"You little brat, your mind is so cunning. I can't believe you're only eight years old. You're like a little monster," Dugu Bo said, though he completely understood Tian Lin. After all, earlier, he had indeed harbored murderous intent.

But now, that intent had completely disappeared. Not only because Tian Lin was Chen Xin's disciple, but also because he genuinely believed Tian Lin might have a way to cure his poison entirely.

Even if a full cure wasn't immediate, the Holy Breath Domain combined with the incantation Tian Lin provided could significantly alleviate his suffering. To Dugu Bo, Tian Lin was now a priceless treasure. Anyone who dared harm him would have to face Dugu Bo's wrath.

"Fine, little monster. If you can cure the poison in me and my granddaughter, I promise you three favors—three things that won't go against my principles or bottom line," Dugu Bo said, just like in the original story, offering Tian Lin three conditions.

However, why had the nickname "little monster" suddenly become Tian Lin's title? Wasn't that supposed to be Tang San's exclusive nickname?

"Thank you, Senior. However, curing your poison isn't something that can be done in just a day or two. I estimate it will take at least half a year. I suggest that you find a safer place during this time. If you stay at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, won't everyone eventually find out that the mighty Poison Douluo is suffering from severe poison?" Tian Lin subtly hinted. He was practically tugging at Dugu Bo's sleeve, saying, "Take me to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! I need to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"

Dugu Bo nodded. "Hmm, you're right. My poisoning can't be known to others. It's not just about pride; it's also about safety. In that case, let's go to my residence. First, there are plenty of medicinal herbs there for you to use, and second, it's close to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. You can return anytime you want. What do you think?"

Dugu Bo's treatment of Tian Lin was far better than his treatment of Tang San. Not only did he not restrict Tian Lin's freedom, but he also didn't force him to swallow poison pills.

Tian Lin was thrilled by this arrangement and had no objections. Afterward, the two returned briefly to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Tian Lin requested half a year of leave from Elder Meng Shenji and wrote a letter for Gu Ran to take back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Finally, he visited the imperial palace to meet Xue Qinghe. He needed to give her a reason for his absence. Otherwise, what if Xue Qinghe sent her two Titled Douluo subordinates to attack Dugu Bo?

Tian Lin explained that he would be spending half a year learning about poisons from Dugu Bo.

"As the saying goes, it's easier to guard against open attacks than hidden ones. Even if I become stronger in the future, if I'm poisoned, I'll still be at risk. By learning about poisons and detoxification, I'll be much safer while traveling the continent," Tian Lin said.

Xue Qinghe reluctantly accepted this explanation. Since it was only for half a year and Tian Lin promised to return each month to practice the Heavenly Snow Power with her, she allowed Tian Lin to leave.

...

The Next Morning.

As Tian Lin prepared to leave with Dugu Bo, he received farewells from everyone.

"Xiao Tian, don't forget to train hard while you're away. And come back soon—you're the strongest weapon of the Emperor Team," Qin Ming reminded him.

"Yeah, until you're back, I guess I'll have to hold the fort as the team's main attacker all by myself," Yu Tianheng said, looking stressed.

"What about me?" Gu Ran chimed in, pointing to himself.

"With your attack power, you're not even qualified to be Xiao Tian's substitute." The others in the Emperor Team immediately mocked him without mercy.

Gu Ran deflated instantly. Though it was true, did they have to say it so bluntly? This world had no love.

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Don't forget how fast I improve. By the time I return, I might even surpass your levels," Tian Lin said with a smile.

"Dream on! We're your seniors. If you surpass our levels, where will we put our faces? Right, Gu Ran?" Dugu Yan teased.

Gu Ran looked bewildered. "Big Sister, if you're going to make fun of him, fine, but why do you have to drag me into it?"

This was a mockery. It had to be.

This world truly had no love.

Gu Ran's bitter expression made everyone laugh, lightening the mood and easing the sadness of parting. Soon, Tian Lin's figure disappeared down the mountain path alongside Dugu Bo.

...

Half a Day Later

Thanks to Dugu Bo's full-speed travel, they quickly reached the center of the Sunset Forest—Dugu Bo's home. Tian Lin finally arrived at the place he had longed to visit for eight years in this world: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It is the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Amazing!" Tian Lin spread his arms wide, feeling the extreme heat and cold radiating from both sides.

The attributes of his magic sword were water and fire, making it perfectly compatible with the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He could feel that cultivating here would surpass any simulation cultivation field and might even rival the Heavenly Snow Power.

"Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? Xiao Tian, what are you talking about?" Dugu Bo was confused. Although he lived here, he didn't know the name of this treasure land.

A typical case of possessing treasure but not recognizing its value.

"Senior Dugu Bo, this place is a treasure. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is one of the three great medicinal treasure troves. Ordinary plants can't grow here due to the unique climate, but rare herbs thrive. What's more, the growth cycle of these herbs is accelerated by a factor of ten. For example, a ginseng plant growing here for ten years would have the potency of a hundred-year ginseng. These three great treasure troves are places where heaven and earth's spiritual energy converge," Tian Lin explained.

"So that's why the medicinal herbs here are so potent," Dugu Bo nodded. He never dared consume the herbs casually because of their extreme potency—enough to kill someone through over-nourishment.