But it wasn't long before Dugu Bo slowly recovered from his shock. He had lived for so many years, and he had long understood the basic laws of the world.
"I believe there's no such thing as a free lunch."
"If you can resolve my lifelong regret today, you'll be a great benefactor to me, Dugu Bo, and the entire Green Scaled Snake Clan .
" "Any requests you have, feel free to make them now."
"As long as I can fulfill them, I won't refuse!"
He looked at Lin Xiao with a burning gaze, waiting for the other party to propose an offer.
"I do have two requests that I need your help,"
Dugu Bo gestured for him to continue.
"First, I know you own a medicinal garden deep in the Sunset Forest. I hope you can give it to me."
"As for how I learned this, please don't ask."
Dugu Bo heard this, although puzzled, but he barely hesitated.
The greatest value of that medicinal garden for him was to use its unique environment to suppress the increasingly violent snake venom in his body.
If Lin Xiao could truly cure his ailment, the value of the medicine garden would plummet, rendering it useless.
Trading a medicine garden that was about to lose its usefulness for the hope of eradicating the snake venom and boosting the family's fortune—this deal was an extremely cost-effective one, no matter how you looked at it.
"Okay! I promise!"
"As long as you can do what I say, the medicine garden will be yours from now on!"
Lin Xiao nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face.
The Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire—that was a crucial part of his plan; one of the reasons he studied medicine was for it.
"Secondly... I'm still relatively inexperienced, my foundation weak."
"But I have lofty ambitions. I want to establish my own power on this turbulent continent, to challenge the world's heroes."
"But I'm weak now, and it's difficult to stand alone."
"I hope that once the snake venom is completely cured, you'll join my power. And protect me for ten years."
Dugu Bo raised his brow imperceptibly.
Join a power founded by a young man? And protect me for ten years? This request was far more significant than a medicine garden.
However, he immediately reconsidered.
He was alone, with no one to rely on except Yanyan.
If the snake venom truly healed, his strength improved, and his lifespan greatly increased, it would be helpful to find something to do. Supporting the rise of a new power seemed like a good option.
He was about to nod in agreement when Lin Xiao's voice rang out again.
"Senior, please don't rush to agree. Please listen to me."
Dugu Bo nodded, signaling him to continue
. "The power I seek to establish isn't simply to secure a corner or to scramble for power."
"We should act according to the laws of heaven and earth, sweeping away the world and eradicating all injustice!"
"This means our future path may be filled with thorns and obstacles."
"Whether it's the mighty Spirit Hall... or the profoundly influential Three Upper Sects..."
"As long as they commit unjust acts and hinder our path, they could become our rivals, or even our enemies!"
Lin Xiao's voice was low, but each word resonated with a resolute determination.
The atmosphere in the secret room suddenly became solemn.
Lin Xiao paused and continued,
"So, if you agree, please join my forces
"Perhaps in the future, we'll become enemies of the entire world."
"After all, few of the forces on the continent today have clean foundations."
Dugu Bo was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a short, hoarse laugh.
"Haha! Young friend Lin Xiao, do you underestimate me, Dugu Bo?"
"I originally thought you were just a kid building a faction for fun, and I wasn't very willing. I didn't expect you to have such ambitions."
"Since that's the case, I'll risk my life to accompany you! I'll go through this with you! It's worth my Titled Douluo cultivation!"
Seeing Dugu Bo's complete agreement, Lin Xiao was delighted.
Although he had expected this, now that it had finally been accomplished, he couldn't help but feel relieved.
He remained calm and nodded slightly.
"Since that's the case, please, senior, take me to your medicine garden."
"I plan to go there for seclusion. The day I emerge will be the day I create my technique."
Dugu Bo, upon hearing this, couldn't wait. As soon as Lin Xiao finished speaking. He hurriedly urged,
"Okay! Okay! We'll leave right away!"
"Senior, don't... don't worry! I need to leave a letter first. Please send someone to deliver it to Senior Sister Ye Lengleng, so she won't worry."
Watching Lin Xiao scribbling furiously at the table, Dugu Bo stood by with his hands behind his back, a complex and inscrutable emotion flickering in his eyes.
This kid, despite his youth, is not only incredibly strong and skilled in medicine, but his intelligence and cunning far surpass those of ordinary people.
Old Man Ye is truly incredibly lucky. If only this kid had met Yanyan first... oh! What a pity!
Dugu Bo couldn't help but feel a pity that even he himself found absurd.
If that were the case, he would have kidnapped this kid and brought him back to his home to be Yanyan's grandson-in-law.
Lin Xiao quickly finished the letter, carefully folded it, and handed it to Dugu Bo.
"Thank you, Senior, for sending it."
Dugu Bo took the letter, casually handed it to the servant waiting outside, and gave a few instructions.
With everything in place, Dugu Bo wasted no time. Carrying Lin Xiao, the two of them soared into the sky like arrows from a bow, hurtling towards Sunset Forest.
The speed of a Titled Douluo was terrifying.
In just half a day, the valley shrouded in poisonous gas was within sight.
With a wave of his hand, Dugu Bo parted the fog, revealing a narrow passage barely wide enough for one person.
"Follow me."
Finally, the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire appeared before his eyes. A massive spring, embedded in the earth, split its waters into two distinct halves:
one a deep, dark blue, the other a fiery crimson.
The distinct cold and hot auras merged at the center of the spring, forming a visible, misty boundary.
The air was filled with the rich, indissoluble fragrance of plants and an indescribable, pure energy.
Exotic flowers and plants clashed in vibrant colors, many even radiating a faint halo.
Dugu Bo surveyed the treasured land he had guarded for so many years, his tone tinged with emotion.
"I don't know where you got this information, kid. I haven't even told Yanyan about this place."
"But this place is truly extraordinary. If I hadn't stumbled upon it years ago and
discovered that the environment here can suppress that damned snake venom in my body, I'm afraid I would have died from the poison and turned into a handful of earth long ago."
But Lin Xiao didn't answer Dugu Bo. His eyes were already captivated by the scene before him.
The Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire. Countless immortal herbs, only known in legends, now grew so truly before him.
(End of Chapter)