The next day, the two continued advancing toward the center of the forest.
Along the way, Yan identified many rare plants he had read about in his books.
The two chatted as they walked, their mood light and relaxed, drawing ever closer to the forest's heart.
Meanwhile—
Inside the cavern above the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a tall, thin old man with dark green hair and beard sat cross-legged in silent cultivation.
This old man was none other than the Poison Douluo—Dugu Bo.
Twin streams of spiritual energy flowed out from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, intertwining with each other, creating an environment of tremendous benefit to cultivation.
Dugu Bo sat with eyes closed, his breath rising and falling in rhythm with the energies around him, as if he had merged with heaven and earth themselves.
Suddenly, his brow furrowed—he sensed a powerful aura drawing near.
That aura grew stronger by the second… and there was something familiar about it.
He slowly opened his eyes, a glint of suspicion and vigilance flashing across them.
As he focused his senses, he recognized it clearly—this aura belonged to none other than his long-time rival, Elder Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan of the Spirit Hall.
Dugu Bo rose to his feet in an instant, following the direction of the approaching presence.
His figure flickered through the forest, agile and swift as a serpent in flight.
It didn't take long—guided by his sharp perception—for him to locate Yue Guan's position.
To his surprise, the Chrysanthemum Douluo was not alone. At his side was a young man whose body emanated fierce flames. From the crimson energy patterns on his skin, Dugu Bo could tell—he was a fire-attribute spirit master.
"Such an intense fire aura… Could that boy be one of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation?"
The thought filled Dugu Bo with sudden delight.
Though the three prodigies of the Golden Generation were young and rarely appeared in public, he had heard rumors—one among them possessed a top-tier ancient beast spirit: the Flame Lord.
The youth before him matched that description perfectly.
A calculating smile crept across Dugu Bo's lips.
He and Yue Guan had been rivals for many years.
Dugu Bo's spirit power had reached level 91, while Yue Guan's had already attained level 95.
In all their past encounters, Dugu Bo had been defeated time and again, forced to flee in humiliation.
But this time was different.
This time, Yue Guan had brought a youth along—someone who, instead of helping, might only become a burden.
Dugu Bo's plan was simple: use the boy as a distraction, seize the opening, and strike Yue Guan down.
Yue Guan, who had been walking and chatting with Yan, suddenly stopped. His expression turned grave.
Dugu Bo possessed a ten-thousand-year Medusa Skull Bone, granting him extraordinary sensory perception. He had been the first to detect Yue Guan and Yan's presence.
Although he had suppressed his aura to its limit, his proximity made it impossible to remain undetected.
Yue Guan's instincts warned him immediately.
He leaned toward Yan and whispered, his tone quiet but urgent:
"Yan, you must leave—now."
Hearing that, Yan's heart tightened. He scanned the surroundings, a grim suspicion forming in his mind:
Could it be… Dugu Bo? Did Elder Chrysanthemum sense his aura?
With his current level, Yan could not sense a powerhouse like Dugu Bo—unless the man was already dangerously close.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, what's going on?"
"It's nothing serious," Yue Guan replied with a faint smile. "An old friend just dropped by. Go on ahead—wait for me at the inn."
Though his voice was calm, there was an unmistakable edge of confidence in it.
Yan nodded, understanding that if it truly was Dugu Bo, staying would only become a hindrance.
"Understood, Elder Chrysanthemum. I'll head back first."
"Good—go quickly."
Just then, a wave of crushing spiritual pressure swept over them, accompanied by a cold, mocking laugh.
From the shadowed treeline emerged a tall, lean figure clad in gray robes, his hair drifting loosely in the wind.
It was Dugu Bo.
His venom-green eyes flicked briefly over Yan before locking onto Yue Guan.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo—still as sharp as ever, I see."
Yue Guan's lips curved in a cold smile.
"Poison Douluo, your ability to conceal your aura has improved—almost fooled me. Still lurking in the dark after all these years, are you? Planning another ambush?"
His tone dripped with mockery.
Dugu Bo's face darkened.
"Hmph! Don't act so righteous, Chrysanthemum Douluo. You sneaking into my territory—what are you plotting?"
Yue Guan let out a low, amused chuckle.
"Your territory? Poison Douluo, don't make me laugh. Since when did the entire Sunset Forest belong to you?"
For a moment, Dugu Bo was at a loss for words. Anger surged in his chest.
"Yue Guan! Do you think this time you'll walk away victorious again? Let's settle this—today!"
As his shout echoed, Dugu Bo released his spirit.
A massive green serpent coiled into the air behind him—the Bilin Snake Emperor.
Nine spirit rings glowed in sequence: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black.
Though regarded as the weakest among the Titled Douluo, his mastery of poison was second to none.
Almost simultaneously, Yue Guan's spirit flared forth—a magnificent Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, accompanied by the same nine-ring configuration.
"Yan, go—now!" Yue Guan shouted.
Without hesitation, Yan's figure blurred and darted away.
"Trying to escape? Not so easy!"
In a flash, Dugu Bo struck, a beam of venomous green light shooting toward Yan.
But before it could reach him, a flurry of golden chrysanthemum blades whirled through the air, intercepting the attack and forcing Dugu Bo to defend.
In that instant, wings of blazing flame unfurled from Yan's back. With a powerful beat, he soared skyward and vanished from sight.
The sudden turn caught Dugu Bo completely off guard.
His plan—to strike down the youth and use him to restrain Yue Guan—had completely failed.
He frowned, staring in disbelief at the direction Yan had flown.
"What in the world…? That kid has wings?!"
"He didn't even release his spirit or rings—could that be an external spirit bone?"
"Could it be… he's that—"
Before he could finish the thought, Yue Guan's mocking voice cut in:
"Oh dear, Poison Douluo, miscalculated again, have we? Even as a Titled Douluo, you stoop to ambushing a junior—how shameful."
Dugu Bo's face twisted in fury.
"Enough of your arrogance, Chrysanthemum Douluo!"
Yue Guan, sensing that Yan had already flown far enough, smirked.
"This time, Poison Douluo, you won't get away so easily!"
As his words fell, Yue Guan's Martial Spirit True Body unfolded.
A colossal chrysanthemum burst into existence, its golden petals gleaming with radiant vitality.
Opposite him, Dugu Bo's Bilin Snake Emperor reared high, its body glowing with a sinister green phosphorescence.
The serpent's eyes shone with venomous cunning, its jaws opening wide to emit a chilling hiss that reverberated through the forest.