"Announcing the arrival of Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo, and Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
As a servant's loud voice echoed from the hall's entrance, three figures stepped in. One was a refined middle-aged man, dressed in elegant silver robes, with a silver crown atop his head, and holding an emerald staff. Beside him stood a stern-looking, silver-haired man in white robes, and a tall, imposing elderly man with white hair, clad in blue and silver.
These three were none other than Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Yu Yuanzhen, master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
As the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were both located just outside Heaven Dou City, they had crossed paths on their way here and decided to come together to the Dugu Mansion.
"Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Sect Master Yu!"
Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Yu Yuanzhen enter, both Dugu Bo, Prince Xue Xing, and the three Heaven Dou imperial officials immediately rose and bowed respectfully.
Ning Fengzhi and the other two returned the greeting with a polite fist salute. However, noticing that Prince Xue Xing and the imperial officials had remained seated in the hall instead of leaving, a subtle glint flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes as he continued to smile warmly.
So, they've all stayed behind in this hall. Were they waiting for us?
Before arriving, Ning Fengzhi had already anticipated two possible scenarios at the Dugu Mansion.
The first was that Emperor Xue Ye or Prince Xue Xing had arrived before them, and Dugu Bo had already taken them to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to pick the immortal herbs.
The second possibility was that Dugu Bo had anticipated they would come with Yu Yuanzhen, so he made both the emperor's people and Prince Xue Xing wait in the mansion until they arrived.
It seems the second guess was correct.
In Ning Fengzhi's mind, he saw no reason why Dugu Bo would refuse to share the immortal herbs. After all, when faced with the combined might of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Heaven Dou Empire, Dugu Bo didn't have the luxury of saying no.
"Heh, Poison Douluo, I didn't expect you to possess such a remarkable medicinal garden, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, brimming with so many immortal herbs. Truly enviable. I believe you already understand why we're here today?"
Ning Fengzhi wasted no time with pleasantries, smiling warmly as he addressed Dugu Bo directly.
"To be honest, Sect Master Ning, Sect Master Yu, I know exactly why you're here. Unfortunately, this medicinal garden no longer belongs to me. I gave it to my master a month ago," Dugu Bo replied, shaking his head with a sly grin while stroking his white beard.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed in suspicion.
What? This old snake has submitted to someone?
Impossible!
Dugu Bo's reputation for being obstinate and rebellious was well known. He had even refused the Spirit Hall's invitation in the past, and his relationship with the Heaven Dou Empire was nothing more than a cooperative agreement—he had never truly bowed to them.
Who in the world could command Dugu Bo's loyalty?
Ning Fengzhi's mind raced, thinking of all those strong enough to defeat Dugu Bo. Yet none seemed worthy enough to force Dugu Bo to submit.
Before he could think further, Yu Yuanzhen scoffed, "Dugu Bo, I don't care if what you say is true or not. Either way, you can't keep the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to yourself. Share some of those immortal herbs, and it'll be beneficial to everyone."
Yu Yuanzhen, titled the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Douluo, had a personality as domineering as the "Tyrant" in his name suggested.
After seeing the live broadcast about the immortal herbs and learning that they could enhance and even evolve spirits, Yu Yuanzhen had been determined to get his hands on some.
On one hand, obtaining such herbs might give the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan another titled doula, and on the other, he hoped that one of them could help his younger son escape his reputation as a good-for-nothing.
This time, Yu Yuanzhen was determined to claim some of those immortal herbs.
But as soon as Yu Yuanzhen finished speaking, Dugu Bo's face darkened.
Although he knew Yu Yuanzhen was stronger than him, as a fellow titled douluo, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't kill him. And if he survived, Dugu Bo could retaliate against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, something Yu Yuanzhen would want to avoid.
Before Dugu Bo could respond to Yu Yuanzhen's blunt demand, a cold laugh echoed from outside the hall.
"Interesting. So, you've all come for the immortal herbs around my Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, huh?"
A young man, about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing black robes with a cold yet strikingly handsome face, walked into the hall.
This young man was none other than Lin Yu, whose appearance and aura had been concealed by the power of the Mirage Dragon Pearl.
"Master!"
Seeing Lin Yu arrive, Dugu Bo visibly relaxed and quickly stepped forward to greet him.
So this young man is Dugu Bo's master? But he's so young—barely sixteen or seventeen. Can someone like him command Dugu Bo's loyalty?
Ning Fengzhi, watching Lin Yu's approach, was full of doubts.
"You're the one who controls Dugu Bo? Is the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well really in your hands now?" Yu Yuanzhen asked as he stepped forward, his voice low and authoritative.
"Yes, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well belongs to me," Lin Yu replied, his tone indifferent.
"Good, then take us there. According to the broadcast, there are dozens of immortal herbs around your Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. We won't be greedy—each faction will only take ten percent."
Although he couldn't understand how such a young man had tamed Dugu Bo (Lin Yu's true power was concealed by the soul skill of his Void Beast spirit bone), Yu Yuanzhen was willing to show some respect to Dugu Bo by asking for only a portion of the herbs.
However, upon hearing Yu Yuanzhen's request, Lin Yu merely sneered.
"You want my immortal herbs? The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is mine, and so are those herbs. Why should I share them with you?"
Lin Yu's refusal shocked everyone—Prince Xue Xing, Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and even Dugu Bo himself.
Just moments ago, Dugu Bo had seen Lin Yu as an intelligent and prudent individual. Why was he suddenly acting so rashly?
What Dugu Bo didn't realize was that Lin Yu now possessed far more power than before, giving him the confidence to be unyielding.
With his gaze sweeping coldly over the gathered figures, Lin Yu's sneer deepened.
"Let me introduce myself—my name is Lin Yu. If you want my immortal herbs, it's simple: defeat me, and I'll give them to you willingly."
With that, Lin Yu's body shook, and a dominating, overwhelming aura exploded from him as he stood, smirking coldly, ready to face any challenger.