The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Three days later.
Yang Dingtian, chief of the Breaking Clan, arrived at the sect by invitation. Yu Yuanzhen came out to greet him personally.
Yang Dingtian was flattered. "Sect Master Yu, was there something you needed me for?"
"There is indeed something I'd like to ask of you." Yu Yuanzhen smiled. "I happened upon more than a hundred rare medicinal plants in the Star Dou Great Forest. We've identified most of them and their effects, but there's one plant no one in the entire sect recognizes."
"After discussing it, someone mentioned that the Breaking Clan is renowned for its knowledge of medicine. We thought you would know what it is, so I invited you here."
"An unidentified medicinal plant?" Yang Dingtian's interest was piqued. "Sect Master Yu, take me to see it. My clan is well versed in medicinal properties. There are few plants we don't recognize."
"Of course. This way, Chief Yang." Yu Yuanzhen gestured for him to follow.
The two entered the sect grounds and made their way to the medicinal garden behind the mountain.
The herb picked in the Star Dou Great Forest had been planted in one of its plots.
Yu Yuanzhen led Yang Dingtian over and pointed it out. "Chief Yang, this is the one. Do you recognize it?"
It was a ganoderma with a golden cap and markings like dragon scales. A gentle aura of light radiated from it.
This... this is an Immortal Herb!
Yang Dingtian was secretly shocked. He considered tricking them into giving it to him, but after a moment's hesitation, he abandoned the idea.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was no pushover. If they learned the herb's value and discovered what he had done, the Breaking Clan would suffer for it.
Besides, precious as the Immortal Herb was, it would not be of much use to his clan. They had never even tried to take the Speed Clan's Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng.
"Chief Yang, have you recognized this Immortal Herb?" Yu Yuanzhen asked when he remained silent.
"Sect Master Yu, congratulations! This is an Immortal Herb!" Yang Dingtian came to his senses and cupped his hands with a smile.
"What is an Immortal Herb?" Yu Yuanzhen looked baffled.
Yang Dingtian explained, "If medicinal plants were ranked by grade, Immortal Herbs would be the most precious of all!"
"They're natural treasures formed by heaven and earth. Each has different effects, and they're worth far more than ordinary rare herbs."
"What's more, they contain so much energy that an ordinary medicinal cauldron can't refine them into pills. But they can be consumed directly."
Yu Yuanzhen finally understood. In short, it was an exceptionally precious natural treasure.
"What is this Immortal Herb called, then, and what does it do?"
Yang Dingtian said, "It's called Bright Dragon Ganoderma. For a Soul Master with a light-attributed dragon Martial Soul, consuming it strengthens the body's foundations, purifies the bloodline, boosts vitality and strength, and improves one's constitution."
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up. It could do all that?
It was practically made for Yu Mingxiao.
On second thought, that made sense. The herb had grown on the remains of a Radiant Sacred Dragon, so naturally it carried the pure qualities of one.
If Yu Mingxiao took it, his aptitude and potential would surely grow even greater!
Yu Yuanzhen laughed aloud. "Chief Yang, thank you. Please stay for a feast and let me treat you as my guest."
"You're too kind, Sect Master Yu." Yang Dingtian smiled and waved a hand.
The servants soon prepared a banquet. Cups were raised again and again, and host and guest alike enjoyed themselves.
After the meal, Yu Yuanzhen had a sect disciple bring out a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins as thanks for identifying the Immortal Herb.
Yang Dingtian declined several times before finally accepting them.
Yu Yuanzhen then sent someone to summon Yu Mingxiao.
As soon as Yu Mingxiao received the message, he broke off his cultivation and went to the sect's side hall to see his father.
"Father, who is this?" Yu Mingxiao asked, looking at the tall, thin old man beside him.
"This is Chief Yang Dingtian of the Breaking Clan," Yu Yuanzhen said with a smile.
Yu Mingxiao cupped his hands slightly. "Chief Yang."
The Breaking Clan was merely a vassal of the Clear Sky Sect. There was no need to be overly deferential; doing so would only make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seem unsure of its standing.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded in satisfaction. Neither servile nor arrogant—that was how a sect's heir should carry himself.
"Young Sect Master Yu." Yang Dingtian returned the greeting with cupped hands.
"Father, why did you call me here?" Yu Mingxiao asked.
Yu Yuanzhen took out a ganoderma and smiled. "I have something good for you. According to Chief Yang, this Bright Dragon Ganoderma is an Immortal Herb. It offers great benefits to Soul Masters with light-attributed dragon Martial Souls."
"An Immortal Herb?" Yu Mingxiao raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. He had not expected them to find one in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Seeing his expression, Yang Dingtian assumed he knew nothing about Immortal Herbs and began explaining them.
Yu Mingxiao nodded as if everything had clicked into place. "I see. Then I'll accept it."
"Take it here," Yu Yuanzhen said with a smile. "I'll keep watch in case anything goes wrong."
"All right. I'll take it in a moment." Yu Mingxiao nodded, then turned to Yang Dingtian. "Chief Yang, do you happen to have an illustrated handbook of Immortal Herbs?"
"I do, but what do you want it for, Young Sect Master?" Yang Dingtian looked puzzled.
"To look through it. If I come across an Immortal Herb someday, I'll be able to recognize it," Yu Mingxiao said.
As if Immortal Herbs are that easy to come by. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was incredibly lucky to find even one. He really is a child—so naive... Yang Dingtian shook his head with an amused smile. "Young Sect Master, I can lend you the handbook, but you must promise not to share its contents with anyone."
Yu Mingxiao brightened. "I promise. I won't share them."
He had expected Yang Dingtian to say the Immortal Herb Illustrated Handbook was a family heirloom that could not be lent to outsiders. He had not expected him to agree so readily.
"Good." Yang Dingtian took a brand-new book from his Soul Tool and handed it to Yu Mingxiao. "This is the Immortal Herb Illustrated Handbook."
Yu Mingxiao glanced at it. The book had clearly been copied recently.
He accepted it and thanked Yang Dingtian.
"Absorb that Immortal Herb first," Yu Yuanzhen said. "You can read whenever you like. Chief Yang won't be leaving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan today."
Yang Dingtian had told him how rare Immortal Herbs were. Though Yu Yuanzhen did not understand why his eldest son wanted the handbook, he did not ask.
What if the boy really does find another Immortal Herb?
"Mm." Yu Mingxiao put the book away, picked up the Bright Dragon Ganoderma, and ate it bite by bite.
He had thought he would need water to swallow it, but as soon as it entered his mouth, it dissolved into a warm liquid that slid down his throat.
Yang Dingtian reminded him, "After taking the Immortal Herb, gather your Soul Power to help your body absorb its effects."
Yu Mingxiao immediately sat cross-legged and began cultivating.
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