Even a Caterpillar Could Kill You

Yu Yuanzhen fell silent for a moment, then said, "I know you don't believe me, but what I'm telling you is the truth."

"Your elder brother and I found an Immortal Herb in the Star Dou Great Forest. After your elder brother took it, he broke through from level 13 to level 20 in one go. Once he obtains his second soul ring, he may even rise a few more levels."

"Father, what is an Immortal Herb?" Yu Xiaogang asked, utterly bewildered.

"An Immortal Herb is..." Yu Yuanzhen did not hide anything and repeated what Yang Dingtian had told him. Though he made a few slight changes, the general meaning remained the same.

It was worth mentioning that Yu Mingxiao had returned the Immortal Herb Illustrated Handbook to Yang Dingtian last night. Yang Dingtian had also left that very night, coming and going in a hurry.

"So Immortal Herbs can not only raise Soul Power Levels, but also improve talent and bloodline potential?" Yu Xiaogang's eyes suddenly burned with excitement, and his breathing quickened.

Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly at the sight. "More or less."

"Father, give me an Immortal Herb too! I want to take one!"

Hope filled Yu Xiaogang's face as he tightly grabbed the corner of his robe.

"Where would I get so many Immortal Herbs? Such natural treasures are exceedingly rare. Your elder brother and I were already fortunate enough to come across one. You want there to be a second?" Yu Yuanzhen said coldly, yanking Yu Xiaogang's little hand away.

"I... I don't believe it!"

Yu Xiaogang raised his face and growled unwillingly, "Father, I'm your son too! Why won't you give me an Immortal Herb?"

Slap!

Yu Yuanzhen struck him across the face and glared furiously. "What are you yelling for?!"

"I already told you, there was only one Immortal Herb!"

"Your elder brother was the one most suited to taking it. Come question me again when you've raised your Soul Power to level ten."

"Besides, do you think just anyone can take an Immortal Herb? With strength as weak as yours, if you forced yourself to take one, the medicinal power would burst your body apart on the spot!"

"No, I don't believe you! You just won't let me take an Immortal Herb because my talent is low. I'm clearly your son too—how can you treat us differently? You old bastard, you weren't like this before!"

Tears welled in Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he clutched his burning, swollen cheek and roared.

"Ungrateful son! Ungrateful son!" Yu Yuanzhen flew into a rage, his beard and hair bristling as he delivered another slap.

With another slap, Yu Xiaogang was knocked onto the bed.

The other half of his face immediately swelled high, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth as he curled into a trembling ball.

"Reflect on yourself properly. I'll send someone over later to supervise your cultivation. Don't even think about slacking off again!" Yu Yuanzhen snorted coldly before flicking his sleeve and leaving.

The door slammed shut, and Yu Yuanzhen's footsteps gradually faded away.

Yu Xiaogang lay sprawled on the bed, his cheeks aching horribly and his heart even colder.

Curled up in silence, he wept, filled with grievance and inferiority.

Supervise his cultivation?

He was trash with merely 0.5 levels of Innate Soul Power. No matter how hard he cultivated, how much could he possibly improve?

Damn it. There was clearly something as wonderful as an Immortal Herb, yet Father refused to give it to him and gave it to his elder brother instead. He was far too biased!

Rather than stay home like a prisoner, he might as well go to the Star Dou Great Forest with them.

He could see for himself whether his elder brother's Soul Power had truly risen to level 20 and whether his Soul Power had become unstable.

The books said that Soul Power raised through medicine was usually unstable, leaving one's foundation weak. It could even exhaust one's talent and cause endless future troubles.

Hmph, so you won't give me an Immortal Herb?

I don't even want one!

Two days later.

Yu Mingxiao moved into a new courtyard, a spacious four-courtyard residence that was grand, elegant, and quite impressive.

Yu Yuanzhen arrived as promised and said with a faint smile, "Are you ready? We're making another trip to the Star Dou Great Forest."

"I've been looking forward to it," Yu Mingxiao said.

Just as the two stepped out through the main gate, a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan ran over. "Clan Master, Young Master Xiaogang, he..."

"Hm?" Yu Yuanzhen's expression darkened. He said coldly, "What happened to him? Is he crying and making a fuss about not cultivating?"

"No. He said he wants to go to the Star Dou Great Forest as well," the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciple replied.

Yu Yuanzhen looked astonished. "What does he want to do there?!"

"This subordinate does not know."

Yu Yuanzhen fell silent for a moment. "Bring him here."

The disciple clasped his hands slightly. "Yes."

Before long, the young Yu Xiaogang slowly approached. His face was bruised and swollen, and resentment filled his expression.

Yu Mingxiao raised a brow and asked, "Xiaogang, what happened to your face?"

Damn it! Father beat me badly—how could he possibly not have told you? You bastard, you're clearly mocking me on purpose!

Hatred surged in Yu Xiaogang's heart. He gave Yu Mingxiao a resentful look, but only lowered his voice and said, "Nothing."

Yu Yuanzhen glared at him and said solemnly, "Xiaogang, if you want to come to the Star Dou Great Forest, that's fine. Consider it a chance to broaden your horizons."

"But I must warn you in advance: the Star Dou Great Forest is filled with danger. You must stay close to me and not run around, or you will remain in the clan."

"Father, I'll stay by your side every step of the way. I definitely won't run around," Yu Xiaogang hurriedly promised.

"Good. Then let's go." Yu Yuanzhen sighed.

The three of them left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Yuanzhen activated his Martial Soul Avatar, transforming into a hundred-meter Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. He steadily carried the two children on his back, spread his wings, and flew toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

He did not fly too high, and the journey remained smooth.

But a fierce gust suddenly rose. Yu Xiaogang, standing on the dragon's back for the first time and looking around in wonder, felt his legs go weak and was blown straight off.

Yu Yuanzhen's pupils shrank. He dove down and caught him securely on his back.

"Xiaogang! Sit still! Don't stand up! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Yu Yuanzhen's exasperated voice rang out.

Yu Xiaogang's face had already gone pale. He hurriedly collapsed onto the dragon's back, both hands gripping the dragon scales tightly. He did not even dare breathe loudly, his face still full of lingering terror.

That useless Xiaogang nearly fell to his death just going to the Star Dou Great Forest... Yu Mingxiao mocked inwardly.

Three hours later.

The three entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

Fresh air washed over them. Ancient trees stood scattered throughout the forest, while the cries of insects and birds rose and fell in a scene brimming with life.

Yu Xiaogang had gradually recovered from his fear. He looked around, his face full of wonder.

Compared to Yu Xiaogang, who was visiting for the first time and curious about everything, Yu Mingxiao was much calmer. He turned to Yu Yuanzhen and said, "Father, let's go straight to the Mixed Zone. There probably won't be any soul beasts that meet our requirements in the outer region."

"That was my thought as well." As Yu Yuanzhen spoke, his gaze fell on Yu Xiaogang. "Xiaogang, stay close to me."

"In this forest, don't touch anything you see. Even a caterpillar could kill you."

Yu Xiaogang immediately flushed red. He was unwilling to accept it and wanted to argue, but he feared his father's authority and could only swallow his words.