Chapter 89: Immortal Herbs

In the Sunset Forest, at the site of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Dugu Bo was, as usual, meditating atop a cliff near the spring. He hoped to break through the bottleneck of his soul power.

Time passed. With a deep sigh, Dugu Bo opened his eyes.

"Three months… and not even the slightest progress," he muttered.

After reaching Rank 90, every subsequent level became an immense challenge. For someone of Dugu Bo's age, his window for advancement was rapidly closing. If he didn't resolve the underlying issues in his body, any further breakthroughs would be nearly impossible.

"Well, I'll just have to think of another way."

Just as he was about to leave, he froze mid-step, looking up to the sky. Someone was approaching.

Above the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Ye Hao hovered in the air. Seeing the legendary site below, his face lit up with joy.

"Finally, I've made it!"

In his mind, the voice of the three-headed dog rang out.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to grab some cheats. You'll see soon enough," Ye Hao replied with a sly smile, then descended swiftly.

"Old Poison! Long time no see!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Dugu Bo froze. He was always aggressive toward intruders, often eliminating them outright.

However, upon seeing the speaker, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"You… You're Ye Hao?" he asked hesitantly.

The boy in front of him had disappeared for three months. Everyone, even the world outside, assumed he was dead. Yet here he was, alive and well.

"You… Are you a man or a ghost?"

Ye Hao smirked. Though Dugu Bo's reaction was understandable, it felt surreal to have become a stranger in just three months.

His gaze swept over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The area brimmed with vibrant, legendary herbs, a veritable treasure trove.

In Ye Hao's mind, the three-headed dog exclaimed in shock.

"Is that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? And… the Chrysanthemum of Extreme Clarity, the Love's Sorrows Heartbreak Red, the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum—this place is a jackpot!"

"Ye Hao, did you already know about this treasure trove?"

Ye Hao responded through thought.

"Relax. This place will be ours soon. I couldn't have identified the herbs myself, but with your help, we'll grab them all. Don't leave a single blade behind—especially not for him."

"Him? Who are you talking about?"

"Never mind."

Ye Hao turned back to Dugu Bo, smiling. "Old Poison, of course I'm alive! Only three months have passed, and you're acting like you don't recognize me anymore."

Dugu Bo: "…"

"These three months, you were completely off the grid! The entire Heaven Dou Royal Academy was in an uproar. Even Yan'er came here multiple times, thinking I had kidnapped you. Do I look like the kind of person who'd stoop to that?"

Ye Hao smirked. "Aren't you?"

"Hey!" Dugu Bo snapped. "Are you looking for a beating?"

"Old Poison, calm down! You're not getting any younger. Don't let me be the one to rile you up."

Dugu Bo rolled his eyes. Waving his hand dismissively, he grumbled, "Fine, fine. Leave now. Just looking at you gets on my nerves."

Ye Hao didn't budge.

"Why are you still here? Don't tell me you're planning to stay for dinner!"

"I wouldn't dare," Ye Hao teased. "Your cooking would probably poison me. Old Poison, Yan'er mentioned you've been having health issues lately. Is that true?"

Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then scoffed, "Bah, Yan'er was joking. I'm a Titled Douluo—my body is as strong as steel. You should head back to the academy before your teachers and classmates worry."

In his mind, Ye Hao whispered to the three-headed dog, "Dog, check his condition. Is he as sick as I think?"

"Stop calling me a dog! My name is Little Crimson—it was given to me by the Death God!"

Ye Hao: "…"

"Focus. Those herbs are a gold mine, but this is still his territory. Check him out first."

Ye Hao then addressed Dugu Bo aloud. "Old Poison, let me guess. On rainy days, your sides ache and feel numb. These episodes happen twice a day—once at noon, and once at night—and each lasts for over an hour. In the evenings, you also experience sharp, stabbing pain in your head and the soles of your feet, to the point where it's unbearable. Sound familiar?"

Dugu Bo's face changed instantly.

"How do you know that?"

Though he wielded the fearsome Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor Venom, his mastery of poison had also cursed him with its slow, insidious corrosion.

Ye Hao smiled faintly. "As they say, your health is your greatest asset. Don't forget—we're both poison experts. These symptoms are easy to spot."

Dugu Bo's murderous intent faded. Normally, anyone who uncovered his secrets would be silenced immediately. However, Ye Hao wasn't just anyone—he was Yan'er's teammate, and his mysterious background was beyond even Dugu Bo's reach.

"You're right," Dugu Bo admitted. "I've been plagued by this poison for most of my life. Do you have a solution?"

"Of course I do! But there's one condition."

"What condition?"

Ye Hao gestured around them. "I want the herbs here."

"The herbs?"

Dugu Bo glanced at the surrounding flora. Though he had long known of the strange plants growing here, he'd never understood their true value.

"Fine!" Dugu Bo agreed without hesitation.

"If you can completely purge the poison from my body, you can take whatever you want!"