"Little monster, what are you refining now? Didn't you already finish making that Mending Heaven Pill over a month ago?"
At the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo walked up behind Tianlin, asking curiously.
It had been almost half a year since Tianlin arrived here. A month and a half ago, the poison in Dugu Bo's body had already been neutralized by about ninety percent.
For the remaining ten percent, Dugu Bo decided not to remove it entirely. His body had already adapted to the poison, and removing all of it at once might cause harm. Leaving a small amount was just right.
Tianlin lifted the alchemy furnace and took out two freshly refined pills. "These are Mystic Tortoise Golden Pills, immortal-grade medicine refined with a Rockshell Golden Turtle as the primary ingredient. They're tremendously beneficial to soul masters with turtle-type martial souls."
The Rockshell Golden Turtle, despite its name, was actually a type of medicinal herb that resembled a turtle in appearance. Its attribute was water.
"I see. You made these for those two Shi brothers from the Emperor Battle Team, didn't you?" Dugu Bo had noticed that all the pills Tianlin refined here weren't for himself but for his family and friends.
In truth, Tianlin hadn't entirely neglected himself. After consuming the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, the medicinal energy in his body had become excessively potent. Taking more immortal herbs would be counterproductive, so he decided, like Tang San in the original story, to use the Autumn Water Dew to enhance his external soul bone. The medicinal properties of the Autumn Water Dew were incredibly gentle, making it the perfect choice for his current condition.
"Exactly. I've prepared gifts for everyone. This time, both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Emperor Battle Team will benefit greatly," Tianlin replied. "By the way, old monster, have you taken the Purple Gold Pill I gave you?"
"Yes, I have. Your pills are truly remarkable. I feel that my soul power has increased to level ninety-three, and after being purified by the pill, I can now condense soul power much faster," Dugu Bo said, his tone full of amazement. This half-year had been incredibly rewarding for him.
Not only had his poison been neutralized, but his soul power had also risen by two levels. Moreover, after redirecting his snake venom into the Medusa soul bone, the two fused, creating a new and even more powerful toxin.
Dugu Bo had an old rival in Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo. In the past, Dugu Bo had often been defeated miserably by him. But now, Dugu Bo felt confident he could face him again.
"Old monster, do you remember? I told you before that apart from the Purple Gold Pill, I also had another gift for you. Today is the day I fulfill that promise. But after giving you this, it's time for me to leave." Tianlin's tone carried a trace of reluctance. After living here for so long, he had developed feelings for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Dugu Bo patted Tianlin's head. "What are you getting sentimental about, little monster? This is my home. You're welcome to visit anytime you want. Now, show me the gift. Don't keep me in suspense."
Dugu Bo, however, wasn't particularly moved by Tianlin's impending departure. After all, he was leaving too. After much persuasion—and the use of three conditions—Tianlin had finally convinced Dugu Bo to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan as a guest elder. He wouldn't have many responsibilities, just a title to carry.
"Hehe, old monster, your gift is this!" Tianlin took out a snow-white immortal herb from his storage pouch. Each blade of grass seemed to glisten with dew, long and curved, resembling the neck of a swan. "This is called the Snow Swan Kiss, one of the immortal herbs."
Dugu Bo took the herb and examined it. "Looks pretty good. So, little monster, how do I eat it?"
"Eat it? Old monster, are you trying to kill yourself? This thing cannot be consumed! It amplifies the power of toxins. Given that your entire body is filled with poison, eating it would likely kill you instantly. All our efforts from the past half year would be wasted," Tianlin quickly explained.
"What the—" Dugu Bo, startled, immediately threw the Snow Swan Kiss away. "Why would you give me such a terrifying thing, little monster?"
"What a waste of good stuff." Tianlin picked up the Snow Swan Kiss, heart aching. Even if it couldn't be eaten, it was still an immortal herb. How could he just toss it like that?
"Old monster, I'm not giving this to you to eat. It's meant to be used as a weapon in battle," Tianlin explained. "Think about it. If your poison were to be released using the Snow Swan Kiss as a medium, what would happen?"
"Using the Snow Swan Kiss as a medium!" Dugu Bo's heart trembled as he realized the implications. Excitedly, he exclaimed, "My poison would be amplified to an unimaginable degree. Even without relying on my ninth soul skill, I could probably annihilate entire cities and clans. Terrifying!"
"Exactly. Because the Snow Swan Kiss is so dangerous, what I'm giving you isn't the original version," Tianlin explained. "Over the past six months, I've cultivated it alongside some anti-toxic immortal herbs to significantly reduce its potency. Otherwise, even you wouldn't be able to control it."
Tianlin pointed to the herb. "Look, the Snow Swan Kiss has three key parts: the petals, the crown, and the stamen. Each part has different properties."
"After my modifications, the petals can amplify your poison threefold, suitable for regular attacks. The crown amplifies it fivefold, to be used cautiously against strong enemies. The stamen, however, amplifies it tenfold. Unless it's a life-or-death situation, you must never use it lightly, old monster," Tianlin warned solemnly.
Even though the Snow Swan Kiss's potency had been greatly reduced, a tenfold amplification could still cause catastrophic destruction.
"Got it! Now hand it over, little monster," Dugu Bo said, snatching the Snow Swan Kiss as if afraid Tianlin might change his mind. Holding it like a treasure, he felt a surge of confidence. With this, he wouldn't have to fear Chrysanthemum Douluo—or even Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo together. He could take them both on.
Seeing Dugu Bo's excitement, Tianlin smiled faintly. He couldn't craft hidden weapons, so he couldn't give Dugu Bo something like the Mother-Son Soul Chasing Life Taker. This Snow Swan Kiss, however, was far superior and far more terrifying.
"Little monster, let's go. You can't stay here forever. If you don't experience more of the outside world, how will you one day become a Title Douluo?" Dugu Bo said, his admiration for Tianlin evident. "The world outside is vast. That's where you truly belong."
"You're right. I'll gather some herbs first. In three days, we'll set out together for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan," Tianlin replied with a smile, no longer conflicted.
...
Three days later, at the base of Seven Treasure Mountain, the old monsters and the little boy finally returned. Unlike Tang San, Tianlin wasn't as ruthless. He only took what he needed, leaving the rest of the herbs to continue growing in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As Dugu Bo had said, that place was his home. Tianlin could return whenever he wanted and harvest herbs as needed.
Before heading up the mountain, Tianlin brought Dugu Bo to visit Seven Treasure Village. After being away for half a year, it was only proper to see his parents first.
Seeing Tianlin return, Jun Tianhai and Mo Lan were overjoyed. But when they saw Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, they were so frightened that they didn't dare say a word.
After all, Title Douluos held an exalted status on the continent. Ordinary people could go their entire lives without seeing one.
Tianlin took out two Purple Gold Pills and gave one to each of his parents. Jun Tianhai, limited by his talent, might never break through level thirty in his lifetime, but the Purple Gold Pill's medicinal energy could push him to level forty.
As for Mo Lan, though she didn't have soul power, the Purple Gold Pill could extend her lifespan. Initially, Mo Lan didn't want to take it, feeling it would be a waste on her. But when she heard the pill could also preserve youth, she nearly snatched Tianlin's other two pills as well, leaving Tianlin both amused and exasperated.
After fulfilling his filial duties, Tianlin and Dugu Bo climbed the mountain. Soon, they entered Seven Treasure City and arrived at the gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.