The Half-Year Agreement, Reuniting with Dugu Bo
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Lan Yinhuang's act of gifting Xiao Rou the immortal herb was something Lin Yongming wholeheartedly supported.
That night, Lan Yinhuang guided Xiao Rou in absorbing the effects of the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, an immortal-grade herb. This particular herb was exceptionally suited for Xiao Rou, a Soft Bone Rabbit spirit beast.
The Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, when consumed, would circulate its energy through the limbs and blood vessels, enhancing the body to the point of near invincibility. For a Soft Bone Rabbit, whose bones were already their strongest asset, this herb would significantly boost both defense and attack power.
As for Xiao Wu, she was left with another immortal-grade herb called the Water Jade Fragrance Bone, along with a top-tier spirit herb known as the Spirit Ice Mist Grass.
In other words, Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang had nearly depleted the stock of immortal herbs from the original story.
Of course, a few immortal herbs remained unused, and even if they were all consumed, the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well could continue to nurture new ones, as the source of its spiritual energy was the twin springs themselves.
"Ah Yin, this immortal herb is truly extraordinary. Not only did it boost my spirit power by four levels, bringing me to level 75 as a Spirit Sage, but I can also feel that my base attributes have improved," Xiao Rou exclaimed as soon as she finished absorbing the herb, her eyes sparkling with amazement.
"See? I told you before, but you didn't believe me," Lan Yinhuang replied, pouting slightly.
"Well, you described the effects so grandly, but you never showed me any actual proof. How could I not be skeptical? I thought you were exaggerating. Who knew you'd actually bring back such treasures?" Xiao Rou rolled her eyes.
"But seriously, you and Xiao Ming have had quite the adventures. Is that why you agreed to get engaged to him?"
"Xiao Ming is truly a good man—loyal and righteous. When you two left together, I was secretly worried for a while. But now, it's clear that you made the right choice," Xiao Rou said sincerely, genuinely happy for Lan Yinhuang.
"Yeah, I never imagined that after taking human form, I'd end up with a human. But fate works in mysterious ways," Lan Yinhuang replied, a hint of shyness in her voice.
"So, now that you're engaged, where do you plan to go? Will you stay in Thunderstorm Village?" Xiao Rou asked.
"Not exactly. Xiao Ming is still a member of the Spirit Hall, and we've been invited by the higher-ups. After he obtains his fifth spirit ring, we'll be heading to Spirit City," Lan Yinhuang explained.
"I see. Since you've reached maturity early thanks to the immortal herb, I won't stop you. But I hope you'll avoid unnecessary conflicts in Spirit City. Don't take any risks," Xiao Rou advised earnestly.
"I understand," Lan Yinhuang nodded seriously.
The two women chatted late into the night before finally falling asleep.
The next morning, Lin Yongming woke up to find the house still quiet. Lan Yinhuang and Xiao Rou were still fast asleep.
"What time did they stay up until?" Lin Yongming muttered to himself, though he didn't disturb them. Instead, he sat down to meditate.
"Strange. I've been stuck at level 49 for nearly half a year now. I can feel that I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, but something seems to be holding me back. Is this what they call a bottleneck?" Lin Yongming pondered.
However, knowing that reaching the Spirit King level was a significant milestone in a spirit master's journey, Lin Yongming wasn't overly concerned. He decided to focus on solidifying his foundation and patiently waiting for the breakthrough to come naturally.
By the time the sun's rays streamed through the window around 10 a.m., Lan Yinhuang and Xiao Rou finally woke up.
"Ah! The sun's already up," the two women said as they rubbed their eyes and got out of bed.
When they walked out of the bedroom, they found Lin Yongming sitting cross-legged on the floor.
"Xiao Ming, you must be hungry," Lan Yinhuang said as she approached him.
"You're finally up. The sun's been up for hours," Lin Yongming teased.
"Yeah, yeah. You stay here. I'll go wash up first," Lan Yinhuang replied, stretching and yawning.
"Alright," Lin Yongming nodded.
For the next two weeks, Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang spent their time with Xiao Rou, occasionally visiting nearby towns or exploring the natural scenery. Of course, Lan Yinhuang would describe everything to Lin Yongming.
On the sixteenth day, Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang bid farewell to Xiao Rou and prepared to return to Thunderstorm Village.
"Ah Yin, Xiao Ming, come visit whenever you can. And Xiao Ming, when you're ready to obtain your fifth spirit ring, let me know," Xiao Rou said, acting like an older sister as she saw them off.
"We will, Sister Xiao Rou. Take care," Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang waved goodbye before activating their Purple Lightning Thunder Wings, their external spirit bones, and flying back to Thunderstorm Village.
They arrived back in the village around 4 p.m., the journey having taken roughly the same amount of time as their trip out.
After returning, Lin Yongming immersed himself in cultivation, rarely leaving the village. About a month later, his spirit power surged, and he finally broke through to level 50.
"Xiao Ming, you've finally broken through! I never thought someone as talented as you would hit a bottleneck," Lan Yinhuang said as she sensed the change in his spirit power while they were on a hill behind the village.
"Yeah, I didn't expect it either. This bottleneck held me back for so long. Meanwhile, you just ate an immortal herb and shot straight to level 56 as a Spirit King. Now you're already a level 63 Spirit Emperor," Lin Yongming said with a hint of frustration.
"Well, I'm a genius. Bottlenecks don't exist for me," Lan Yinhuang replied proudly.
"Yes, yes, Ah Yin is the best," Lin Yongming smiled.
"So, now we're just waiting for Dugu Bo to arrive, right? By the way, what kind of spirit beast are you planning to hunt for your fifth spirit ring? Why do you need Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, to help? Xiao Rou and I could easily help you hunt a ten-thousand-year spirit beast," Lan Yinhuang asked, her curiosity evident.
This question had been bothering her for a while, but Lin Yongming had always avoided answering it.
"The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger," Lin Yongming finally revealed.
"What?! The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger?" Lan Yinhuang exclaimed, shocked. "How do you even know about that spirit beast? I've never mentioned it to you, and there's no way you should know about its existence."
Lin Yongming sighed inwardly. How do I explain this? Should I tell her that I've read the original story and that you're all characters from it?
Instead, he decided to use someone else as an excuse. "Ah Yin, actually, it was Spirit Hall's Saintess, Bibi Dong, who told me about it. I've kept it in mind ever since, so I've reserved my fifth spirit ring for the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger."
"Bibi Dong again? Do you even know the origins of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger?" Lan Yinhuang pressed.
"Not exactly, but Bibi Dong mentioned that she came across a record of it in an ancient text. According to her, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger was originally a top-tier spirit beast, a White Tiger, but it was corrupted by the Evil God, transforming its light attribute into a dark one. It grew black wings symbolizing its fall from grace and a scorpion-like tail known as the Evil God's Hook."
"Its dark attribute evolved into an extreme evil nature, granting it multiple attributes: evil, lightning, wind, and strength. It possesses intelligence rivaling that of humans."
Lin Yongming used Bibi Dong as a cover to explain the creature's background.
Sorry, Bibi Dong. I'm using you as a scapegoat again, Lin Yongming thought guiltily.
"I see. What she said isn't entirely accurate, but it's close enough. However, do you realize that even a ten-thousand-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is beyond your current ability to absorb? Its power is too overwhelming, equivalent to a fifty-thousand-year spirit beast."
"There is indeed a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger in the Star Dou Forest. Over a decade ago, Sister Xiao Rou led a group of spirit beasts to hunt it down. It was already close to twenty thousand years old at the time, and it was incredibly cunning. Now, after so many years, it's probably reached thirty thousand years. Its cultivation relies on devouring other spirit beasts, so its strength grows rapidly," Lan Yinhuang explained seriously.
"If it were an ordinary thirty-thousand-year spirit beast, I'd have no doubt you could handle it. But a thirty-thousand-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is equivalent to a seventy-thousand-year spirit beast in terms of power."
"Xiao Ming, why don't we go for a regular lightning-attribute spirit beast instead?" Lan Yinhuang pleaded.
"Ah Yin, it's not as exaggerated as you think. I know the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is stronger than ordinary spirit beasts, but the spirit ring it provides would only contain the energy of a forty-thousand-year spirit beast at most. Its strength comes from its unique attributes and its ability to use skills similar to spirit abilities," Lin Yongming argued.
"Fine, fine. I knew I wouldn't be able to talk you out of it. You've been fixated on this for years—there's no way you'd give up now," Lan Yinhuang sighed.
"That's why I love you, Ah Yin. You understand me so well," Lin Yongming said with a grin.
"Ugh, whatever. If you're going to die, I'll die with you. It's as simple as that," Lan Yinhuang replied, feigning annoyance.
"Don't be like that. How about this: if the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger has reached thirty thousand years, I'll give up on it. Deal?" Lin Yongming proposed.
"You said it yourself. I didn't force you," Lan Yinhuang said, finally satisfied.
"Of course not. Absolutely not," Lin Yongming assured her.
In truth, Lin Yongming had already calculated the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's current age. In the original story, it was around sixty thousand years old when it appeared, but that was still thirty years away.
Given that Xiao Rou had led a hunt for it over a decade ago when it was under twenty thousand years old, Lin Yongming estimated it to be around twenty-five thousand years old now. After all, it would have needed to lay low for a while after being hunted.
Several more months passed, and the half-year agreement with Dugu Bo was nearly up.
One day, a plainly dressed old man with grayish-white hair and a tall, sturdy build arrived at Wuer Town.
"Excuse me, sir, are you a local?" the old man asked a carriage driver at the town's entrance.
"Yes, I am. Are you looking to go somewhere nearby?" the driver replied.
"Indeed. I've been invited by a young friend to visit him. I only know the name of his village—Thunderstorm Village—but I've never been there," the old man explained with a smile.
"Thunderstorm Village? I know it. Would you like to take my carriage? I can take you there," the driver offered.
"That would be wonderful. Thank you," the old man nodded.
"It's about an hour's journey," the driver said as they set off.
That afternoon, a simple carriage arrived at the entrance of Thunderstorm Village and came to a stop.
"Sir, this is the only village near Wuer Town called Thunderstorm Village. Is this the one you're looking for?" the driver asked.
"Thank you. I'll ask around," the old man said as he stepped out of the carriage.
As he entered the village, he encountered a couple returning from their fields.
"Excuse me, does Lin Yongming live in this village?" the old man asked politely.
"You mean Xiao Ming? Yes, he lives here. Are you his teacher?" the villager asked, curious.
"No, just an old friend. Could you take me to his home?" the old man requested.
"Of course. My house isn't far from his," the villager said warmly.
"Thank you," the old man nodded.
Soon, they arrived at Lin Yongming's house. Before the old man could ask where Lin Yongming was, the young man and Lan Yinhuang stepped out of the house.
"Senior Dugu, you've finally arrived. I was starting to think we'd have to go without you," Lin Yongming said with a smile as he greeted the old man.
Lin Yongming had sensed Dugu Bo's familiar aura as soon as he entered the village.
"Little monster, my apologies. Your village is quite remote. I'm two days late," Dugu Bo said with a hint of embarrassment.
"No worries, Senior Dugu. Our village is indeed a bit out of the way," Lin Yongming laughed.
"Senior Dugu, you must be tired from the journey. Please, come inside," Lan Yinhuang invited warmly.
"It wasn't too bad. But your house looks new. And you're wearing a necklace and ring—did you two get married?" Dugu Bo asked as he entered the courtyard.
"Not yet, but we got engaged shortly after returning from Heaven Dou City. This new house is for Ah Yin and me," Lin Yongming explained.
"Engaged? Congratulations! You two are a perfect match, truly made for each other," Dugu Bo said, clasping his hands in congratulations.
"Thank you. Please, come in and sit down. It's too late to head to the Star Dou Forest today, so you'll stay with us tonight," Lin Yongming offered.
"I hope I'm not intruding," Dugu Bo said with a smile.
"Not at all. I was just thinking how peaceful your village is. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and with a river nearby, it's a secluded paradise. The morning sun shines right into the village, and the climate here in the Balak Kingdom is mild year-round. It's a perfect place to retire," Dugu Bo remarked.
"It's not bad. I often meditate on the hill behind the village. The tranquility there is refreshing. If I hadn't been expecting you, I'd probably still be up there cultivating," Lin Yongming said casually.
"Senior Dugu, here's some water," Lan Yinhuang said as she placed a cup in front of him.
"It's a lovely life you two have built here," Dugu Bo nodded.
As they chatted, Lin Yongming's parents returned home around 5 p.m. Lin Yongming introduced them to Dugu Bo, and the evening passed in pleasant conversation.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 215 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 80 power stones I will publish the next chapter.