Chapter 45: Tian Lin and Dugu Bo - The Power of the Holy Spirit Pearl - Douluo's spirit bead sword

Chapter 45: Tian Lin and Dugu Bo - The Power of the Holy Spirit Pearl "Greetings, Senior Dugu. Yu Tianheng pays his respects!" Facing the grandfather of the person he adored, Yu Tianheng felt a bit nervous. Yet, as the heir of the third-ranked clan on the continent, he held his composure, aware he must not disgrace his family. "Young man, you are touted as the top genius of your clan, surpassing even that exceptional Yu Tianxin. But I see you're just so-so, unable to defeat a child not yet nine years old." Dugu Bo glanced at Yu Tianheng, scoffing coldly. Yu Tianheng was momentarily embarrassed, for Dugu Bo's words were indeed true. He couldn’t defeat Tian Lin back then, and now with Tian Lin's level up, even less so. "Indeed, my skills fall short, and I must have seemed laughable to you. Compared to Xiao Tian, I hardly deserve the title of genius and can only rely on hard work to close the gap in the future." Yu Tianheng admitted candidly in the end. Such words might seem defeatist, but they made Dugu Bo's eyes shine. If Yu Tianheng had shown defiance or rage, Dugu Bo would have looked down on him more. Someone who couldn’t acknowledge failure had no right to be his grandson-in-law. However, the calm acceptance impressed him. Resilient and introspective, hiding all defiance within — with extraordinary talent and an excellent background, Dugu Bo had to admit Yu Tianheng was indeed worthy of his granddaughter, Yan'er. He found little to criticize. Even so, acknowledging it didn't mean he liked Yu Tianheng. Perhaps in a hundred years. Dugu Bo let out a cold snort and was about to leave when Tian Lin suddenly called out, "Please wait, Senior Dugu. I have something I wish to discuss with you privately." "Oh? What could a little brat like you possibly have to say to me? Is it something Sword Douluo asked you to convey?" Knowing Tian Lin was Dusthearted's disciple, Dugu Bo could only think of that. Tian Lin thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, my master entrusted me with something very important to tell you should I meet you when you come to visit Sister Yan. It's extremely confidential and must be conveyed privately." He had no other choice; if he claimed it was personal business, Dugu Bo would never believe him — after all, Tian Lin was not quite nine years old. "Very well, kid, follow me!" Dugu Bo snatched Tian Lin up and disappeared in a flash, moving so swiftly that Qin Ming, a Soul King, didn't even have time to react. The gap in strength between a Soul King and a Titled Douluo was truly like a chasm. Soon, Dugu Bo brought Tian Lin to a small lake outside the academy. "Rest assured, there's no one else around. Speak freely." "Yes, Senior. Might I ask, do your ribs still itch intolerably during rainy days? Has the sensation been increasing over time?" Tian Lin asked directly. "What did you say?" Dugu Bo's gaze turned sharp. Tian Lin, unperturbed, continued, "Senior, your symptoms flare daily at noon and midnight, each bout lasting over an hour. Around the third watch, your head and chest experience needle-like pain. Muscle spasms across your body last at least half an hour. Am I wrong?" "Silence, brat!" Unable to suppress his response, Dugu Bo clamped his hand around Tian Lin's neck. This was his deepest secret, known by no one. If his enemies discovered the timing of his symptoms, an ambush would be disastrous. "Senior, no need for anger. My master wouldn’t have let me convey this so openly if he meant you harm," Tian Lin said with poise, unafraid. He understood that Dugu Bo would not dare kill him given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan backing him. Dugu Bo was a cautious man. Moreover, even if Dugu Bo killed Tian Lin, it wouldn't help, since he believed Dusthearted had discovered the secret. Killing Tian Lin and angering Dusthearted could lead to him revealing Dugu Bo's poison weakness, worsening the situation. "Speak then. What does the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan want in exchange for keeping my secret?" Dugu Bo released Tian Lin and asked gravely. "Senior, I do have a request. But before that, please give me a chance to remove the poison from your body," Tian Lin proposed, intending to help first and seek reward later to ease his conscience when claiming medicinal herbs. "What? You can remove the poison from my body? Don't joke with me! Even your master might not achieve that," Dugu Bo scoffed, doubting the child's claim. "My master indeed cannot, but I can. If you agree to keep tonight’s events confidential, I'll prove it immediately," Tian Lin insisted, realizing he had to demonstrate his abilities to gain Dugu Bo's trust. Dugu Bo's interest piqued, and he smiled faintly. "Alright, I promise, if you truly prove yourself, tonight’s incident remains between us." Tian Lin nodded. There was no need for promises of oaths — though Dugu Bo's reputation wasn’t stellar, he was known for his integrity. "Holy Spirit Pearl, Holy Breath Barrier." Tian Lin finally revealed his second martial spirit to a fourth person. "A pearl? But isn’t this child's martial spirit a sword? Could it be... a twin martial spirit?" Dugu Bo's expression turned grave. This child was already terrifying with his high level, and now a twin martial spirit? What kind of treasure had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan unearthed? As the barrier enveloped them, Dugu Bo sensed relief from his poison symptoms, feeling an unprecedented lightness. "Senior, please sit cross-legged and guide your spirit power with my incantation," Tian Lin urged. Chanting under his breath, Tian Lin recited a formula — a profound poison-suppression method recorded in the Jade Balance Herbal Scripture by Cao Gu. Sensing the profundity of the incantation, Dugu Bo, perceptive as ever in matters of poison, immediately sat cross-legged, circulating his soul power. Under the combined suppression of the Holy Breath Barrier and the incantation, Dugu Bo's pallor improved. For him, it was an unprecedented experience.