Yu Xiaowei returned home in frustration.
His Soul Power had not advanced, throwing his plans into disarray.
He had originally thought he could advance to Soul Ancestor today, but he was still stuck at level 39.
The key was that he did not recognize a single one of the remaining Immortal Herbs, and he did not dare eat them recklessly. If he consumed one that conflicted with his attributes, he would be in serious trouble.
"Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Narcissus Jade Bone, Nine Grade Purple Ganoderma."
He muttered as he walked, trying his best to compare these Immortal Herbs to things he knew.
"Xiaowei, what are you muttering about?"
Hearing the voice, Yu Xiaowei turned his head and saw Yu Xiaomeng waving at him.
"Big Brother, what is it?"
"Father wants to see you."
Yu Xiaowei jolted. Yu Yuanzhen was back?
He hurried after him, asking eagerly.
"Did my dad successfully advance to Soul Douluo?"
"Mm."
Yu Xiaomeng's face was full of smiles. Another Soul Douluo had joined the clan—this was wonderful news.
When they reached the study, Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian were chatting and laughing together.
"Uncle, Dad."
"Father, Second Uncle."
Yu Xiaowei and Yu Xiaomeng respectfully bowed to the two men.
The moment Yu Luomian saw his son enter, he burst into laughter, stepped forward, and gave him a heavy chest bump as he proudly showed off.
"Xiaowei, your old man is level 84 now. What do you think? Impressive, right—"
"Damn, Dad, what age Soul Ring did you absorb?"
Yu Xiaowei was startled.
This was Soul Douluo. To gain four levels from a single Soul Ring, he must have absorbed one with an extremely high age. Since when had his father become so desperate?
"Ahem."
Yu Yuanzhen coughed lightly and shot Yu Luomian a look.
"Enough, Second Brother. Sit back down. We still have something to discuss with Xiaowei."
"Ah, right, right."
Yu Luomian quickly sat back down and looked at Yu Yuanzhen expectantly.
"Xiaowei, while your father and I were away, your elder brother told me everything you did."
"You did very well. Extremely well."
"I gave it some thought and wanted to reward you with something, but I could not think of anything suitable for the moment."
"As it happened, when your father and I went out to hunt for Soul Rings this time, we killed an eighty-thousand-year Crimson Flame Tortoise Emperor."
"A Soul Bone dropped from it."
As he spoke, Yu Yuanzhen brushed his hand over his ring and took out a long, narrow box.
Eighty thousand years!
No wonder Yu Luomian's Soul Power had increased by so many levels.
Although he knew this Soul Bone was meant for him, Yu Xiaowei was not overly excited. Instead, his feelings were complicated.
He knew of Crimson Flame Tortoises. They were fire-and-earth dual-attribute Soul Beasts with tremendous explosive power, yet they were also defensive Soul Beasts. At the level of eighty thousand years, even ordinary Title Douluo were unwilling to provoke one.
Even with Yu Yuanzhen's cultivation, killing a Crimson Flame Tortoise Emperor would have required no small amount of effort.
And who had Yu Luomian risked his life to absorb a Soul Ring close to his limit for?
Yu Xiaowei understood perfectly.
His father usually seemed unreliable and did not care much for cultivation.
But this time, when Yu Xiaowei had nearly been abducted, he had truly touched Yu Luomian's bottom line.
"Uncle, give this Soul Bone to my dad. I have no use for something this advanced."
The moment he heard that, Yu Luomian grew anxious.
"You brat, if your uncle says it's for you, then it's for you! I'm an old man already—what use do I have for something so precious?!"
"Then let whoever wants it have it. Uncle, you can absorb it yourself if you want. Either way, I don't want it!"
As Yu Xiaowei spoke, he dropped to his knees, craned his neck stubbornly, and refused to accept the Soul Bone no matter what.
"You unfilial brat!!!"
Yu Luomian sprang to his feet and raised his hand to strike, but he could not bring himself to bring it down.
From childhood to adulthood, he had never struck Yu Xiaowei even once.
Back then, Yu Xiaowei's biological elder brother had died in the jaws of a Soul Beast while hunting for a Soul Ring. From then on, Yu Luomian had completely fallen into decadence, spending his days in brothels and taverns, even fathering a daughter like Liu Erlong.
Later, the second branch of the family gained a grandson, delighting Yu Luomian and giving him the will to pull himself together again.
But when Yu Xiaowei's second elder brother died in an accident, he was dealt another crushing blow that turned his hair white overnight.
It was not until fifteen years ago, after Yu Yuanzhen persuaded him, that he remarried. Yet Yu Xiaowei's mother fell gravely ill after giving birth and passed away.
Thus, like a man cursed by fate, Yu Luomian treasured his grandson Yu Tianxin and his youngest son Yu Xiaowei beyond measure, afraid they would fly away if held in his hands and melt away if kept in his mouth.
As for his daughter Liu Erlong, though she did not like him, he still did his best to fulfill his responsibilities as a father—until the father and daughter completely fell out over Yu Xiaogang.
"Xiaowei, just accept it."
Yu Xiaomeng, standing nearby, also tried to persuade him.
But Yu Xiaowei would not budge. Without the slightest fear, he stared directly into Yu Luomian's furious eyes.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Xiaowei sternly, then suddenly laughed heartily.
"Enough, Second Brother. Calm down. Xiaowei is only being filial."
"This unfilial brat is going to anger me to death!"
Still seething, Yu Luomian sat back down, his face flushed red.
"Alright, Xiaowei, get up as well. Your uncle will keep this Soul Bone for you for now."
"Big Brother."
Yu Luomian said unhappily from the side.
"This Soul Bone was originally meant to be given to Xiaowei once he reached Soul Saint anyway. With his current strength, if the Soul Bone were exposed, someone might kill him to take it."
Yu Yuanzhen smiled and stopped Yu Luomian from saying anything further, then continued speaking to Yu Xiaowei.
"Child, your filial heart is admirable. Your uncle is very pleased. But this Soul Bone is not suitable for your father. Your uncle has other arrangements."
"Get up, child. This Soul Bone will remain with your uncle for now. Your uncle looks forward to seeing you reach Soul King soon."
Yu Xiaowei rose to his feet and respectfully bowed to Yu Yuanzhen.
"Go out and have some fun."
As though he had been pardoned, Yu Xiaowei hurriedly fled.
To be honest, an eighty-thousand-year Soul Bone—if he said he did not want it, that would be a lie.
But Yu Luomian had risked his life to obtain it. If Yu Xiaowei absorbed it with a clear conscience, then he would not be Yu Xiaowei.
Watching his retreating figure, Yu Luomian revealed a gentle smile and softly said.
"That unfilial brat."
After stepping out of the room and into the sunlight, Yu Xiaowei spread his arms and basked in its warmth.
Yu Xiaomeng smiled at the sight and left.
After standing there for a long time, Yu Xiaowei began walking through the clan grounds, his heart heavy with thoughts.
Starting from Yu Yuanzhen's study, he walked through every corner of the clan, from dawn until nightfall.
Along the way, whether they belonged to the main branch or the second branch, whether they were hypocritical or sincere.
Everyone greeted him with a smile, and Yu Xiaowei, unusually, returned every one of them with a smile.
He continuously recalled how Yu Luomian had doted on him ever since he was little.
And Yu Yuanzhen, who appeared stern yet had always quietly cared for him.
And a sister like Liu Erlong, who had patiently taught him when he had nowhere to study, never disliking this mischievous younger brother of hers.
And a brother like Yu Xiaomeng, who had always protected him from behind the scenes.
And those adorable younger relatives who called him "Uncle, Uncle" whenever they saw him.
In that instant, the lingering sense of alienation he had felt ever since crossing over completely vanished.
Once, he had wanted to protect the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan because he was a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Now, he wanted to protect the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan because he was a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Xiaowei burst into laughter, clenched his fists, pointed at the sky, and said in Blue Star Common Tongue.
"Whoever the fuck wants to touch the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I'll kill them! Not even Jesus can save them—I said so!"
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