Dugu Bo didn't even bother to open his eyes as Tian Lin spoke to him. Feeling helpless, Tian Lin said, "Hey, old monster, isn't this a bit too relaxing for you? Are you planning to start your retirement life now? You're not even ninety yet. As a Titled Douluo, with the poison in your body removed, you could live for over 200 years. Are you planning to just lie on a recliner for the rest of your life?"
"Ahhh!" Dugu Bo stretched lazily and yawned before replying, "Weren't you the one who said you'd take care of me in retirement? I've found this kind of life to be quite enjoyable. The environment here is great. I eat, sleep, and cultivate soul power when I'm free. No worries about the poison acting up in my body, and no concerns about the Spirit Hall coming after me. This is just too comfortable."
"If you keep this up, I'm afraid your body will rust. You should move around when you need to," Tian Lin advised earnestly.
"I don't rely on my body to fight anyway. So what if it rusts? My poison is getting stronger by the day," Dugu Bo replied dismissively.
Tian Lin knew the old man wasn't lying. Over the past three years, Tian Lin had transcribed the alchemy section of the Shu Mountain Treasure Record for Dugu Bo, who had been studying various highly toxic medicinal herbs in his spare time. Now, Dugu Bo's storage pouch was layered with two partitions. Apart from the Snow Swan Kiss hidden at the bottom of the second layer, the first layer alone contained more than a dozen different poisonous herbs.
Not only were these herbs filled with potent toxins, but they could also merge with his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison, creating a variety of terrifying poisons. Although Dugu Bo's level hadn't advanced in the past few years, his combat strength had at least doubled. If he were to face the two Spirit Hall Douluos, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, again, they wouldn't stand a chance against his endless array of poisons.
"Forget it, do as you like," Tian Lin said, shaking his head as he left Dugu Bo to his own devices and entered the alchemy room.
At this moment, Dugu Bo opened his eyes, watching Tian Lin's departing figure. He muttered to himself, "This little monster's soul power has increased again. He really is a freak. I thought his cultivation would be hindered by his ultimate attributes, but he's still surpassing most geniuses."
Tian Lin's rapid progress in soul power was largely thanks to Dugu Bo gifting him access to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The intense ice and fire attributes there perfectly compensated for the slow cultivation caused by Tian Lin's ultimate attributes.
Currently, Tian Lin spends only half a month at the academy each month, dedicating the remaining time to meditation and cultivation at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. With Dugu Bo's poison formations protecting the area, there were no soul beasts or intruders to disturb him, making it an ideal cultivation site.
Even when he returned to the academy, Tian Lin would cultivate with Qian Renxue using the power of Heavenly Snow. His cultivation speed remained impressive.
As for why he didn't rely solely on Heavenly Snow's power every day, it was because Tian Lin didn't want to overly empower his enemy. Qian Renxue's cultivation speed was terrifying. With an innate level-20 soul power and no ultimate attributes holding her back, she had already reached close to the Soul Sage level after cultivating with Heavenly Snow.
At this rate, by the time she officially appeared in the original storyline, she might already be a bona fide Soul Douluo. How would Tian Lin stand a chance against her then?
However, over the years, Qian Renxue had indeed treated Tian Lin exceptionally well. Despite being the Crown Prince and busy with royal duties, she always found time to visit him, bringing him various cultivation-supporting pills, precious soul tools, and even comprehensive data on soul beasts with specific attributes.
Unknowingly, Tian Lin had accumulated a considerable debt of gratitude toward her. This left him feeling conflicted. If this continued, it wouldn't just be a matter of whether he could defeat her—it would be a question of whether he could even bring himself to fight her.
Whenever he thought of this, Tian Lin desperately wished for a way to repay her kindness, even if it meant empowering her further. Though Tian Lin was not a saint, his bottom line was clear: he would not be someone who bit the hand that fed him. Even if he were to face Qian Renxue in a life-or-death battle someday, he would first repay every favor he owed her.
As Tian Lin entered the alchemy hall, a few disciples immediately greeted him. "Greetings, Young Master."
These were disciples of the alchemy hall—soul masters with limited strength who would otherwise have been relegated to tasks like guarding city gates. Tian Lin had discovered their potential and taught them alchemy, turning them into valuable members of the sect. As a result, these disciples were deeply grateful to and respectful of Tian Lin.
Tian Lin nodded, "Everyone, since I'll be returning to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy tomorrow, I need your help to refine a few types of pills and send them to me afterward."
"Please give your orders, Young Master," the disciples responded without hesitation.
"I need one Xuan Yuan Pill, one bottle of Ice Soul Pills, one bottle of Concealment Pills, and a few Soul Nourishing Pills. How long will it take?" Tian Lin asked.
After a brief discussion, they replied, "Young Master, apart from the Xuan Yuan Pill, which will take a bit more effort, the other pills are relatively simple. We guarantee to complete them and deliver them to you within half a month."
"Half a month? That should work." Tian Lin considered for a moment before agreeing. "Alright, I'll wait for your updates. Thank you, everyone!"
"Young Master, you're too kind. It's our honor to serve you," the disciples said humbly. Sometimes, Tian Lin's politeness left them feeling unrealistically flattered.
These pills weren't for Tian Lin himself but were meant as gifts for certain members of the Shrek Seven Devils. If they were willing to follow him and join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he wouldn't hesitate to provide them with even the rarest elixirs. However, if they refused, they wouldn't get so much as a feather from him.
Of course, Tang San had many treasures that Tian Lin intended to acquire as well.
...
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, having left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, was like a wild horse finally let loose. It was her first time exploring the outside world, and she was ecstatic, marveling at everything she saw.
The jealousy she had felt earlier because of Tian Lin was completely forgotten.
"This little princess has the mind of a child!" Yin Yang, watching from the shadows, chuckled and shook his head. She hadn't even been gone for long, but she'd forgotten about Ning Fengzhi and the others—probably even her beloved Sword Brother.
Shopping, buying, and more shopping—this was all Ning Rongrong had been doing along the way. With her wealth and storage soul tools, she bought anything and everything that caught her eye, regardless of the quantity.
Naturally, such a beautiful and wealthy young girl attracted the attention of many ill-intentioned individuals. However, with Titled Douluo Yin Yang secretly protecting her, none of them even got the chance to act before being eliminated.
Thus, Ning Rongrong arrived at the legendary Shrek Academy without incident.
"No way, is this the Shrek Academy that Sword Brother mentioned? Even my family's cafeteria is more luxurious than this!" Ning Rongrong muttered as she looked at the dilapidated academy gates. This rundown academy—could it produce talents capable of rivaling her Sword Brother or the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation?
After all, those individuals were monsters among monsters. Forget defeating them—finding someone in the younger generation who could even approach their level was nearly impossible.
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