At the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye.
Tang Yin, standing at the perimeter, gazed at the ground covered in Immortal-Grade Spirit Herbs, his mouth watering uncontrollably.
In the original story, a single Immortal Herb could grant someone the potential to become a god.
He desperately wanted to gather them all immediately.
But Tang Hao was right beside him, and Tang Yin couldn't reveal his eagerness or let Tang Hao discover the herbs' true purpose.
Tang Hao, unfamiliar with Immortal-Grade Spirit Herbs, merely found the plants somewhat peculiar. He didn't dwell on them further, nor did he suspect their extraordinary properties.
Just then, sensing Dugu Bo's departure, Tang Hao turned to Tang Yin. "Are you certain this is the place?"
Tang Yin nodded. "Yes, this is it. If we move my adoptive mother here and nurture her with my Martial Soul, she can be revived within six years."
"However, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy here is too chaotic, especially around the Spring Eye. With my current strength, I can't get too close. I'll have to plant my adoptive mother at the edge, which will make it easier to stimulate her growth later."
"Hmm, this place is indeed extraordinary." Tang Hao also sensed that the concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy here far exceeded his expectations. He realized that even his formidable soul power couldn't suppress the chaotic icefire aura at the center of the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye.
While he could suppress it with his immense soul power, absorbing it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. His injuries only compounded the challenge.
"Stay here and don't wander off or leave. I'll go bring A'yin here right away."
Having secured the location, Tang Hao was eager to move A'yin here so she could absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and recover.
He glanced outside.
Dugu Bo had already left, and Tang Hao wasn't worried about his return. This stemmed from his absolute confidence in his reputation as the Clear Sky Douluo.
Moreover, with the dense poisonous mist enveloping the area, Tang Yin's current strength wouldn't allow him to escape, ensuring he remained under Tang Hao's control.
After giving Tang Yin some final instructions, Tang Hao hurried away.
As soon as Tang Hao left, Tang Yin gazed at the Immortal Herbs within the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye, his mouth watering so much he nearly dove in to pluck and devour them immediately.
But he quickly suppressed his primal urge.
Moving to a safe spot nearby, he activated his Green Light Martial Soul, stimulating the surrounding vegetation. These plants would serve as his eyes, alerting him to any danger. For the sake of his own safety, he left no precaution unheeded, preparing defenses across the cliff face and surrounding areas.
Knowing Tang Hao wouldn't return anytime soon, Tang Yin wasted no time. He found a secure clearing, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating, his body radiating a verdant glow as he absorbed the dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.
In mere moments, he sensed his cultivation speed was exponentially faster than outside. At this rate, he'd break through to level twelve in no time.
Meanwhile, outside the Poison Array, Dugu Bo, who had supposedly left, quietly returned. He hadn't gone far in the first place, and the Poison Array's sensors had clearly indicated Tang Hao's departure.
As Tang Hao had suspected, Dugu Bo was indeed terrified of his power and initially dared not return.
However, Tang Hao could never have imagined that the place inside was vital to Dugu Bo's survival.
To save his own life, Dugu Bo had no choice but to return.
Moreover, all his medicinal herbs were stored inside, forcing him to risk coming back to retrieve them.
"I'm no match for Tang Hao now. For Yanyan's sake, I'll take the herbs first and settle the score with him later," Dugu Bo resolved.
With a swift movement, he slipped inside.
He didn't know when Tang Hao might return, so he hurried to grab his belongings and escape.
But what Dugu Bo hadn't anticipated was that even after Tang Hao left, the young man who had been accompanying him remained behind.
Watching Tang Yin meditating cross-legged in an open space near the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye, a venomous glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes.
Unbeknownst to him, the Blue Silver Grass and other peculiar plants around him were quietly emitting a faint green glow.
Tang Yin had already sensed his presence.
"Poison Douluo, Your Excellency."
"Tang Hao won't be back anytime soon."
"There's no need to hide. Come out."
Tang Yin's voice echoed through the mountain valley.
He stopped his cultivation, rose to his feet, and turned toward Dugu Bo's hiding place.
*How did this brat find me...?* Dugu Bo thought in alarm. He could tell Tang Yin was only around six years old, weak enough to crush with a finger. Moreover, he had concealed his aura perfectly; there was no logical reason why a mere child should be able to detect him.
As if sensing Dugu Bo's shock, Tang Yin let out a derisive snort.
No matter how hard Dugu Bo racked his brain, he couldn't fathom that the surrounding plants were providing Tang Yin with a visual connection.
"Your Excellency Dugu Bo, do you seek revenge against Tang Hao? Do you wish to rid yourself of your poison? Do you desire to become stronger? If so, I have a way to help you."
*Whoosh!*
The moment Tang Yin's tempting words left his lips, Dugu Bo materialized beside him in a flash.
His eerie, green-tinged eyes locked onto the six-year-old boy before him.
"Boy, what do you mean by this?"
Dugu Bo hadn't intended to reveal himself.
But Tang Yin's few words had instantly changed his mind.
Tang Yin tilted his head, meeting Dugu Bo's malevolent gaze with unwavering composure. "Exactly what you heard. I can help you take revenge, cure your poison, and make you stronger."
"Hahahaha! This is a joke of epic proportions! Let's not even discuss how you could possibly help me exact revenge, let alone make me stronger."
"I am the Poison Douluo, the most revered master of poison on the continent. Boy, do you really think I could be poisoned?"
Dugu Bo glared at Tang Yin with undisguised disdain.
Tang Yin smirked at Dugu Bo's stubborn denial. "Is that so, Your Excellency Poison Douluo? Are you truly not poisoned?"
Dugu Bo's eyes darkened. Tang Yin's confidence and composure were beyond anything he'd expect from a six-year-old.
"Let's cut to the chase," Tang Yin said. "I have a way to help you avenge Tang Hao's hammer strike, a way to cure the poison in your body, and a way to make you stronger. If you're not interested, you can leave now. After all, Tang Hao will be back soon, and you'll have to slink away with your tail between your legs anyway."
Tang Yin smiled mockingly at Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo clearly sensed the mockery in Tang Yin's smile. His aura erupted violently, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He nearly lost control, but the thought of his granddaughter Yanyan and Tang Hao's overwhelming power forced him to suppress his rage.
"Boy, do you even know who you're talking to?" Dugu Bo asked coldly.
"A Poison Douluo poisoned by his own Martial Soul's venom," Tang Yin replied calmly, his composure unwavering.
*As long as Dugu Bo doesn't want to die or see his granddaughter die, according to the Transmigrator's Law, this move is guaranteed to work.*
*Besides, with Tang Hao looming like a mountain, Dugu Bo wouldn't dare risk a desperate gamble.*
*Most importantly, to escape Tang Hao's control, I'll need Dugu Bo's help. He's the perfect tool for the job.*
Dugu Bo's expression flickered between doubt and defiance. He wanted to maintain his tough facade—how could a dignified Poison Douluo possibly be poisoned? The boy's knowing gaze irritated him.
Yet he couldn't be certain if the boy was telling the truth. After all, Tang Yin was associated with Tang Hao.
However, the boy's earlier words clearly indicated he wasn't aligned with Tang Hao.
Thinking of his granddaughter, Dugu Bo hesitated, then decided to hear him out.
"Boy, you've piqued my interest. Speak. But if you dare deceive me, I'll show you what it means to wish for death."
Tang Yin remained unfazed by Dugu Bo's threats, continuing calmly:
"My name is Tang Yin. Tang Hao is my adoptive father. By all rights, I should consider him family, since I'm his adopted son. But if this adoptive father seeks to harm me, exploit me, control me, and disregard my life's safety, do you think I should still stand by his side?"
Dugu Bo understood immediately, needing no further explanation.
His code was simple: repay kindness with kindness, and kill those who sought to harm him.
Tang Yin's principles were equally straightforward.
Before arriving at the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye, he had already formulated his plan: to use the growth-accelerating ability of his Green Light Martial Soul on the Icefire Immortal Herbs, then control their extreme ice and fire poisons. He would then combine these poisons with Dugu Bo's own lethal toxins to incapacitate Tang Hao.
Even if he couldn't poison Tang Hao, he would at least confine him, breaking free from his control.
This was one of his key strategies, and Dugu Bo's abilities formed the most crucial link in his plan.
"Now that I have leverage over you—you know I intend to harm Tang Hao—you can rest assured," Tang Yin concluded.
"Furthermore, if I fail to cure the poison in your body, you can expose me to Tang Hao at any time. My fate will be entirely in your hands."
Exploiting others under unequal power dynamics also means you risk being exploited yourself.
He didn't care about leverage.
As long as he could escape Tang Hao, anything was worth it.
"Tell me your plan."
Dugu Bo found himself intrigued by this young man—so composed and ruthless despite his age.
If Tang Yin could truly help him avenge Tang Hao's hammer blow and cure his poison, he wouldn't mind cooperating.
The boy's age was irrelevant.
"You know Tang Hao's strength. You stand no chance against him now, and even in ten or twenty years, you'll never get your revenge. Don't glare at me—it's an undeniable fact."
"But your poison... that's a formidable weapon."
"If you could use them properly, combined with the rare flowers and herbs here, you could keep Tang Hao trapped here."
"Unfortunately, you know very little about these plants."
This was Dugu Bo's greatest tragedy: possessing a treasure trove but lacking the knowledge to use it.
"Boy, do you know about those things?" Dugu Bo pointed at the flowers and herbs within the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye.
Tang Yin didn't answer, continuing:
"Time is running out. Tang Hao will return soon. I'll state my request now. You can agree or refuse—I'm not in a hurry for an answer."
"You have six years. Within that time, you must construct a massive, highly poisonous array near this place—an array that draws upon all your life's knowledge, capable of trapping even a Titled Douluo."
"After that..."
Tang Yin clearly explained his requirements and objectives to Dugu Bo.
In the end, Dugu Bo chose to agree.
After striking a palm-seal alliance with Tang Yin, he vanished into the Icefire Yin-Yang Eye.