Within the Sunset Forest, towering trees stretched as far as the eye could see.
From above, the view below was like a vast green ocean.
And in Lin Yu's line of sight, a towering peak shrouded in mist loomed ahead.
Surrounding the mountain was a forest blanketed in thick, dark purple, poisonous miasma.
At a glance, Lin Yu could immediately determine that this mountain must be where the Yin-Yang Well was located.
There could be no other explanation for such an abundance of poisonous fog—it was undoubtedly the poison formation laid by Dugu Bo!
Though the purple miasma was highly toxic—enough to kill even a Soul Sage who dared to pass through recklessly—it posed no threat to Lin Yu.
Why? Because Lin Yu could fly.
Although the poison formation covered the forest floor around the Yin-Yang Well, its traps were primarily ground-based.
Even the poisonous gases that could rise into the air didn't reach the altitude where Lin Yu flew.
With this, he passed over the miasma-infested forest with ease.
But crossing the poison-shrouded woods was only the second step.
The third step was descending upon the mountain where the Yin-Yang Well lay.
Lin Yu's flight ability allowed him to bypass the forest's dangers, but in the world of Douluo, there were other Soul Masters who could fly.
Naturally, Dugu Bo had set traps for such Soul Masters as well.
These traps were located at the peak of the mountain itself.
From the white mist constantly rising from the Yin-Yang Well, Lin Yu could vaguely make out strands of blackish-purple mixed with green, indicating the presence of poison.
Though the colors were faint, Lin Yu did not doubt its lethality—it was Dugu Bo's final defense for the Yin-Yang Spring.
However, Lin Yu possessed the Pure World White Lotus Martial Soul, and the purifying light it released could cleanse all forms of poison.
No matter how potent the toxins, they were no match for Lin Yu.
As he neared the mountain, Lin Yu summoned his Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul, activating his second soul skill, which separated into the Pure World White Lotus.
Under the protection of the purifying light from the Pure World White Lotus, Lin Yu effortlessly pierced through the poisonous mist atop the mountain, descending into the valley where the Yin-Yang Well was located.
"Boom!"
With a resounding clap of thunder, a bright flash accompanied Lin Yu's landing into the valley of the Yin-Yang Well.
"Who's there?!"
Startled by the sudden noise, Dugu Bo, who had been cultivating not far from the Yin-Yang Spring, shot up to his feet, his eyes immediately locking into Lin Yu's direction.
Through his Martial Soul's enhanced vision, Dugu Bo saw a figure amidst the mist and frowned.
Standing there was a boy around sixteen years old, with long black hair, sharp features, and an imposing aura—though Lin Yu's true appearance had been disguised.
Dugu Bo squinted in disbelief.
A mere teenager? How could someone so young have breached my poison formation?
The old man's mind raced. Could there be someone stronger lurking nearby, perhaps protecting this youth?
"Dugu Bo, there's no need to look around—I'm alone," Lin Yu said with a calm smile, seeing through Dugu Bo's suspicious glance.
"Hmph! Boy, who are you? Do you dare to intrude into my garden? Do you not fear death?" Dugu Bo sneered as he released his venomous Jade Phosphorus Poison, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Afraid? If I was afraid, I wouldn't have come."
Ignoring the threat, Lin Yu simply smiled and cut straight to the point.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lin Yu. You've probably heard of me. I'm here today for your medicine garden, and I want you to submit to me."
"If you do, I can rid you and your family of the Jade Phosphor Poison."
"You're that Lin Yu?!"
At Lin Yu's introduction, Dugu Bo's pupils shrank in shock. Waves of disbelief surged within him.
The Lin Yu that countless forces across the continent sought to find had come to him voluntarily.
Yet, on second thought, it made sense.
With his ability to glimpse both the past and future of Douluo, Lin Yu would surely have known about the Yin-Yang Spring and its surrounding treasures.
It was only natural he'd come for the medicinal herbs growing around it.
But given Lin Yu's cautious demeanor displayed during live streams, he likely came with absolute confidence.
Dugu Bo's heart sank.
While he desperately wished to find a cure for the Jade Phosphor Poison afflicting both himself and his granddaughter, he wasn't about to hand over his prized medicine garden.
And submit to someone else? Unthinkable!
"Hmph! Do you want my garden and my loyalty? And I'm just supposed to trust you can cure my poison?"
Though many thoughts ran through his mind, Dugu Bo coldly snorted in response.
Lin Yu chuckled. "I know simply offering to cure the poison isn't enough to win your submission. I'll have to defeat you in combat first, right?"
Lin Yu had already anticipated this. In the original story, Tang San had helped cure Dugu Bo and his granddaughter's poison, but Dugu Bo only considered it a favor, agreeing to serve as a guest elder for Shrek Academy.
It was only when Tang San grew much stronger that Dugu Bo truly joined the Tang Sect.
Dugu Bo respected strength above all else.
So if Lin Yu wanted to make him submit, he'd have to defeat him in battle first. Then, using the promise of curing the poison as leverage, he'd seal the deal.
"Hah! You seem to know me well, boy!" Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed further. He became more certain that Lin Yu had gained his knowledge from the live stream, learning all about the past and future.
"But defeating me? That won't be so easy! Today, I'll show you the power of a Titled Douluo!"
"Jade Phosphor Serpent King, possess!"
With a sharp shout, Dugu Bo shot into the sky.
His Jade Phosphor Serpent King Martial Soul materialized as he entered Martial Soul Possession.
As his body transformed, nine rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—rose around him, coiling with power.
Simultaneously, Dugu Bo activated his seventh soul skill—Martial Soul True Body.
In a flash of deep green light, his entire being transformed into a massive, imposing Jade Phosphor Serpent, its head raised in a terrifying hiss as it spewed out waves of deadly green venom.