Level Twenty, Moving Out

Five hours later.

The scattered, overflowing Soul Power gradually drew back in. Yu Mingxiao slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face.

"How was it? Did anything change?" Yu Yuanzhen's gaze swept back and forth over him. Seeing a layer of black grime seeping from his body, he frowned slightly.

Yu Mingxiao smiled. "Father, this immortal herb purified my bloodline. Also, I broke through to level twenty."

"You broke through to level twenty? How could it be so fast?" Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. "You only broke through to level thirteen not long ago!"

Yang Dingtian thought for a moment and said, "Some immortal herbs contain immense medicinal power. If that power can be fully absorbed, Soul Power can surge dramatically."

"Is that so?" Yu Yuanzhen's expression eased somewhat as he pressed on, "Would this sudden increase in Soul Power be unstable? Would it affect his foundation?"

Yang Dingtian said, "It is said that Bright Dragon Ganoderma strengthens one's foundation and replenishes vital energy. Not only will it not leave the young clan master's Soul Power unstable, it will instead make his foundation even more solid."

"Let me check." Yu Yuanzhen's expression turned grave as he reached out, grasped Yu Mingxiao's wrist, and felt his pulse.

He had reservations about using external means to raise one's cultivation. Yu Mingxiao was the future of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; there could not be the slightest mishap.

"Phew..." After repeatedly confirming that Yu Mingxiao's foundation was solid and that there was no instability in his Soul Power, Yu Yuanzhen finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Yu Mingxiao knowingly asked, "Father, there are no adverse effects on my body, right?"

"None. Everything is fine, and your physical constitution has improved considerably." A smile returned to Yu Yuanzhen's face.

"Then we'll have to make another trip out," Yu Mingxiao said with a faint smile.

Yu Yuanzhen shook his head with a chuckle. "Mingxiao, since you've already broken through to level twenty, we'll make another trip to the Star Dou Great Forest in three days. For now, adapt to your rapidly increased Soul Power."

"Alright, no problem," Yu Mingxiao replied.

"You reek. Go back and take a bath first. I have some matters to handle," Yu Yuanzhen said.

Yu Mingxiao bade his father farewell and returned to the courtyard.

As he passed Yu Xiaogang's door, he found it open. With a single glance, he saw the figure meditating cross-legged inside. His Soul Power was so weak it was nearly imperceptible, scarcely different from when his martial soul had awakened.

Sure enough, there were no useless martial souls, only useless people. That recent martial soul awakening had illustrated that saying perfectly.

If you had been willing to work hard before the age of six and show a little ambition, how could you have dragged down your martial soul and caused its mutation to fail?

How could you have ended up in your current state?

Yu Mingxiao shook his head and stopped paying attention to the future Grand Master, who had lofty aspirations but little ability. He quickly returned to his own room.

Come to think of it, although Yu Xiaogang often read books these days, he did not seem to have gone down that crooked path yet or developed the idea of becoming a theoretical Grand Master.

Perhaps that path had never been viable in the first place.

He had lived on the Douluo Continent for six years and had never heard of any theory master renowned throughout the land.

The various factions all had a thorough understanding of all sorts of miscellaneous theoretical knowledge. They simply kept it unspoken and never shared it with outsiders.

As for true powerhouses, they devoted themselves wholly to cultivation and increasing their strength. They had no time to idly study such theories.

On this continent, only strength was revered; theory was not.

Perhaps it was under such circumstances, with his future path cut off, that Yu Xiaogang had wanted to prove his worth and wash away his humiliation through that path.

Unfortunately, that neglected path had become a crooked one in Yu Xiaogang's hands.

The next day.

Yu Mingxiao got up early in the morning and, as usual, went for a morning run around the clan grounds.

After running for some time, he returned to the courtyard and enjoyed the breakfast prepared by the cook.

Yu Yuanzhen walked in from outside, carrying two bundles of medicinal herbs, one large and one small.

He placed the heavier bundle on the table.

"Mingxiao, you train often, so use these herbs for now. Use them for medicinal baths. When you run out, have someone notify me, and I'll send more over."

"Alright." Yu Mingxiao was somewhat surprised that his father had personally delivered the herbs, but he did not think much of it. He asked, "Father, are there any vacant courtyards in the clan? I want to live by myself."

"Live by yourself?" Yu Yuanzhen froze, his expression darkening slightly as he said angrily, "Did Xiaogang say some nonsense again and mislead you?"

Yu Mingxiao shook his head. "He didn't say anything. I just feel that living alone would give me more freedom and private space, making it easier to cultivate in peace."

"Is that so?" Yu Yuanzhen came to a realization, and his expression eased. "It seems I hadn't considered things carefully enough."

"Since you want to live alone, I'll arrange a courtyard for you tomorrow."

"I'll be going now. I should check on Xiaogang. That good-for-nothing is probably slacking off again."

Yu Yuanzhen turned and left, heading straight for Yu Xiaogang's room on the other side. Without even knocking, he kicked the door open.

Bang—

Yu Xiaogang was instantly startled awake. He abruptly opened his eyes and cursed, "Who the hell is it? You dare kick down my door to enter my room? Are you looking to die?!"

But as his mind gradually cleared and he saw that towering figure, his entire body trembled, and he jolted.

"F-Father..."

Yu Xiaogang's voice grew softer and softer. His eyes darted about before he gradually lowered his head.

"Xiaogang, didn't I tell you before to properly temper your body and cultivate your Soul Power? At this hour, why are you still lying in bed?!" Yu Yuanzhen strode forward, grabbed him by the ear, and berated him furiously.

"Ah, that hurts! F-Father, I..." Yu Xiaogang wanted to argue, but when the words reached his lips, he could not say a single one.

Yu Yuanzhen slowly released his fingers and sighed. "Xiaogang, when will you finally grow up? Did awakening a useless martial soul turn you into a useless person as well?"

"Your Innate Soul Power is indeed only level 0.5. I don't expect you to become an unrivaled powerhouse, but at the very least, you cannot be this dispirited!"

"It seems I've been far too lenient in supervising you. Starting today, I'll have someone stand guard outside your door and watch you twenty-four hours a day, forcing you to cultivate properly!"

At Yu Yuanzhen's words, Yu Xiaogang was shaken to the core, feeling as though the sky had collapsed.

What kind of supervision was that? This was not discipline at all; he was clearly being imprisoned like a criminal!

From now on, he would be constrained in everything he did, with no freedom whatsoever!

"What about Big Brother? Did you send someone to supervise him too?" Yu Xiaogang gathered his courage, raised his head, and demanded.

"You still have the nerve to mention your big brother?" Yu Yuanzhen snapped. "If you had even half his drive to improve, I wouldn't have to worry so much!"

"Your big brother has already broken through to level twenty. In a couple of days, I'll take him to the Star Dou Great Forest again."

"You stay home, behave yourself, and cultivate properly!"

"What? L-Level twenty?!" Yu Xiaogang's face was full of disbelief as he blurted out, "Father, if you're going to use Big Brother to provoke me, can you at least say something believable?"

"He only obtained his first soul ring not long ago. How could he possibly break through to level twenty so quickly?!"