On the steep cliff, an inconspicuous plant with a strange beauty grew quietly.
It was entirely transparent, free of the impurities of chlorophyll, as though carved from the purest crystal.
At the top of the plant, several leaves curled inward, cradling a dewdrop like a pair of hands.
The dewdrop was about the size of a longan. It was crystal clear, but a closer look revealed that it was no ordinary water. It was the essence this Immortal Herb had accumulated over ten thousand years.
It was like a gentle eye, silently watching over the valley, its gaze clear enough to see through the vicissitudes of the world.
Immortal Grade Herb—Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.
"This is the one."
Gu Yuejin pointed at the dewdrop and said to Huo Yuhao behind him:
"Yuhao, go eat it."
"Although this Immortal Herb won't directly raise your Soul Power Level, it has an unimaginable effect on cultivating Spiritual Power."
"It might even cause your Spirit Eyes Martial Soul to undergo a qualitative transformation, allowing you to truly 'see through autumn dew' and discern all illusions."
"The method is simple. It's water without a root, so just absorb it with your Soul Power."
Huo Yuhao looked at the Immortal Herb radiating a gentle glow. His eyes widened with astonishment, then filled with deep hesitation.
Though he had little worldly experience, he understood the weight of the words "qualitative transformation."
"Master... this is too precious."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and took half a step back. "A treasure of this caliber should be enjoyed by you, Master. I'm not worthy of it."
As far as he was concerned, his master had already done more than enough for him. He had helped him hunt for a soul ring and fuse with the Snow Empress and Ice Empress. And now he was even giving him an Immortal Herb of the highest grade.
What had Huo Yuhao done to deserve this?
"If I tell you to take it, then take it. Why all the fuss?"
Gu Yuejin furrowed his brow, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable sternness.
"This thing is for the spiritual-type. It doesn't suit my path."
"I cultivate my body. At most, eating this would make my eyes a little brighter. It'd be a complete waste."
"Besides, your master has an even better choice."
As he spoke, Gu Yuejin patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder and said earnestly:
"Yuhao, remember this."
"When a senior gives you something, don't refuse."
"True respect for your master doesn't mean all that back-and-forth and empty politeness. It means accepting your master's gifts and then working your hardest to grow stronger. That's the best way to repay me."
"Don't be like those hypocrites who say they don't want something, while their bodies tell a different story. That's just being fussy."
Huo Yuhao trembled.
He looked into his master's sincere yet domineering golden eyes. A warm current surged through his heart, and his eyes reddened at once.
His master was always like this.
He would give him priceless treasures, yet talk about them as casually as if he were tossing out rubbish, all because he didn't want Huo Yuhao to feel burdened.
"Yes! I understand, Master!"
Huo Yuhao nodded firmly. He stopped refusing, stepped forward, and carefully drew in the drop of Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew before swallowing it.
"That's more like it."
Gu Yuejin watched as his disciple sat down cross-legged and began absorbing it, nodding in satisfaction.
"When it comes to cultivation, fight for what you should fight for, and take what you should take."
"Turn any resources you get into strength. If you hoard them, they'll only gather dust."
"Once you're out there, don't be like certain people who sit on a mountain of gold and beg for food. That's just stupid."
Huo Yuhao closed his eyes and focused. A stream of cool energy rushed into his mind.
His somewhat weary Sea of Consciousness felt like parched land finally receiving rain, becoming crystal clear in an instant.
Under the effect of the medicine, his eyes were undergoing an astonishing transformation.
The entire world looked clearer to him than ever before.
Seeing that his disciple was settling into the process, Gu Yuejin turned around and stretched.
"All right, the young one's taken care of. Now it's the old one's turn."
With a thought, he connected with the three inside Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness.
"Quit watching the show."
"Let out a little of your auras and help me intimidate these country bumpkins who've never seen the world."
"Sure thing!"
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was the first to respond. Its aura was a little weak, but the other two were more than powerful enough to make up for it.
Buzz—!
In an instant, a terrifying aura of Ferocious Beasts from the primordial age erupted from Huo Yuhao.
The Snow Empress's frigid pride. The Ice Empress's violent dominance.
The combined pressure of three Ferocious Beasts with a total of two million years of cultivation slammed down over the valley.
"Good heavens—!!"
"W-what... what in the world is that?!"
Youyou and the Immortal Herbs, who had just been about to catch their breath, were so terrified by the aura that they nearly withered on the spot.
They stared in horror at the human boy absorbing the herbs.
They had thought that the grown-up was already abnormal enough, but who could have guessed that this harmless-looking little follower had several Super Fierce Beasts hidden inside him?!
Had they stumbled into a nest of monsters?!
"T-this is... terrifying..."
"Who on earth are these two? One's a body-cultivating monster, and the other's a freak with Ferocious Beasts inside him..."
The Immortal Herbs trembled in fear, giving up completely on the idea of resisting.
Faced with such overwhelming strength, it was better to stay obedient.
Gu Yuejin paid no attention to the plants cowering in terror. He rubbed his chin and began running through his "menu" in his mind.
He had a Body Martial Soul and followed the path of Sanctification of the Flesh.
So Immortal Herbs that raised Soul Power or Spiritual Power didn't mean much to him.
What he wanted was the ultimate physical enhancement!
After eliminating one option after another, Gu Yuejin's gaze gradually sharpened.
"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."
"An Immortal Herb of balanced properties. Eating it circulates energy through the limbs and blood through the eight meridians, allowing one to cultivate an Indestructible Diamond Body."
"It's best suited to a domineering, powerful Soul Master. It's practically made for me."
"Narcissus Jade Bone."
"It nourishes the muscles and bones and circulates energy through the seven channels and eight meridians. Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum strengthens the skin and flesh; this one strengthens the muscles and bones. They complement each other perfectly."
"And finally..."
An unusual Immortal Herb growing underground appeared in Gu Yuejin's mind.
"Earth Dragon Golden Melon."
"A soil-type Immortal Herb that contains the power of the Earth Dragon Vein. Eating it greatly enhances the defense of one's Martial Soul and body. It might even grant the power to control the earth."
An Indestructible Diamond Body, jade-like bones, and Earth Dragon defense.
With this combination, even a Titled Douluo's attacks would probably only feel like a light scratch.
Now that was a real "tank build"!
Having made up his mind, Gu Yuejin looked at the group of Immortal Herbs trembling like sieves and gave them a "kind" smile.
"Hey, stop shaking."
"Youyou, show me the way."
"I want the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Narcissus Jade Bone, and the Earth Dragon Golden Melon."
At the mention of those three names, Youyou's petals trembled again.
This menace really knew how to pick them!
He was going straight for the top-grade herbs that strengthened the body!
But how could she dare say no?
She glanced at the boy beside her, who radiated the auras of two Ferocious Beasts, then at the even more terrifying golden menace in front of her.
Youyou and the other Immortal Herbs exchanged glances and reached an understanding at once.
Better one friend die than everyone perish.
If a chrysanthemum had to be ruined, so be it. If a melon had to be dug up, so be it. That was better than all of them being uprooted together.
"This way, my lord! Right this way!"
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is over there. It's grown nice and strong!"
"I know where the Earth Dragon Golden Melon is, too. I'll dig it up for you!"
Seeing how cooperative these "rare specimens" were, Gu Yuejin nodded in satisfaction.
The other Immortal Herbs: So you're the ones who led the enemy into the village?
"Now that's more like it."
"Life is like that thing, you know. If you can't fight it, you might as well behave and enjoy it."
Before you continue