Yu Yuanzhen's Breakthrough, the Three Sects Grand Assembly

In Heaven Dou City, at the Dugu Family... Yu Yuanzhen thought for a moment and said softly, "I've heard of this family. If I remember correctly, your inherited Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, isn't it?"

Dugu Bo nodded slightly, surprise flashing through his eyes. "You're right. I didn't expect Sect Master Yu to know of the Dugu Family."

"Haha, I'd heard a little. When I was young, I met Dugu Yong in Heaven Dou City. What was his relation to you?" Yu Yuanzhen asked with interest.

"Dugu Yong was my father. He passed away when I was still young."

At the mention of his father, Dugu Bo's voice dropped, and his tone could not hide his sorrow.

It was all because of that damned Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison backlash. If not for that poison clinging to him, how could he have lost his father in childhood? Even his wife, who had been with him all his life, had passed away two years ago...

But everything had improved now. His Martial Soul had evolved and was no longer the harmful Jade Phosphorous Serpent. From now on, he would no longer suffer from the backlash of that deadly poison.

And all of this was thanks to Yu Mingxiao.

"Looks like I misspoke. My condolences."

Knowing he had struck a sore spot, Yu Yuanzhen patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "Since you were recruited by my son, serve as his personal guards from now on."

"Yes." Dugu Bo cupped his hands in acknowledgment.

The position of personal guard sounded like it lacked status, but they were the closest confidants of the Young Sect Master, Yu Mingxiao. Their chances of future promotion were extremely high.

What was more, personal guards enjoyed relative freedom. They did not need to socialize with others often, nor did they have to be constrained by all the tedious rules within the sect. Deep down, Dugu Bo was quite satisfied.

"Father, there's something I want to tell you," Yu Mingxiao suddenly said.

Yu Yuanzhen asked, "What is it?"

"It isn't convenient here. Let's return to the sect first," Yu Mingxiao said in a lowered voice.

Yu Yuanzhen understood at once. Realizing that it was likely something important, his expression darkened as he said seriously, "Come with me to the Sect Master Mansion."

After the group arrived at the Sect Master Mansion and settled Dugu Bo and his son in the reception hall, Yu Mingxiao and Yu Yuanzhen entered the study for a private discussion.

"Mingxiao, what is it? Why are you being so serious?" Yu Yuanzhen asked curiously.

"Father, while I was out training, I found several Immortal Herbs, and... I've already reached Level 50."

"Several Immortal Herbs? Herbs similar to the Bright Dragon Ganoderma?"

Yu Yuanzhen's pupils shrank, his voice filled with shock.

Yu Mingxiao shook his head and said calmly, "They're different from the Bright Dragon Ganoderma. Each of these Immortal Herbs has its own unique effect."

"I relied on one Immortal Herb to break through to Level 50. Even my physique and spiritual power improved greatly."

Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly, his face full of concern. "Immortal Herbs may not damage one's foundation, but after taking them one after another, won't they leave behind some hidden danger?"

"My body is fine for now. However, the medicinal power of the Immortal Herbs in my body is already close to saturation. Only if I force myself to take more will it backfire, causing the medicinal power to accumulate and remain undispersed, hindering my future cultivation," Yu Mingxiao said calmly.

Yu Yuanzhen secretly sighed in relief and said solemnly, "That's good. As long as you know your limits."

"I don't object to using medicine to assist cultivation, but you must never become dependent on it."

Yu Yuanzhen had reminded Yu Mingxiao of this many times. Yu Mingxiao's heart warmed slightly before he took out a stalk of bamboo from his Soul Tool.

The bamboo was sky-blue throughout, with nine joints along its body. Each joint bore lightning patterns, and a faint rumble of thunder could be heard. At the very center of the hollow bamboo joints was a solid blue crystal core.

"This is..." Yu Yuanzhen raised a brow, his gaze instantly drawn to the bamboo in Yu Mingxiao's hand.

Yu Mingxiao smiled. "This is Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, an Immortal Herb."

"The crystal core inside the bamboo joints is its pith. After consuming it, it can refine lightning-attribute Soul Power, enhance the explosive force of lightning, and strengthen the physique as well."

"Heavenly Thunder Bamboo?" Yu Yuanzhen repeated under his breath.

Yu Mingxiao handed the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo to him and said softly, "Father, this Immortal Herb is for you. Hurry and consume it."

Yu Yuanzhen accepted the Immortal Herb, but his expression was somewhat hesitant.

He gently patted the back of Yu Mingxiao's hand and said warmly, "Mingxiao, I'm already a Title Douluo. This Immortal Herb probably won't be of much use to me. Rather than waste such a treasure on me, it would be better to help your second uncle break through his bottleneck."

Yu Mingxiao frowned slightly and persuaded him, "Father, it's precisely because you're a Title Douluo that you should take this Immortal Herb."

"Only by becoming stronger can you better protect the entire sect."

"This..." Yu Yuanzhen met his gaze. After hesitating for a moment, he sighed softly. "Very well. Then I'll consume this Immortal Herb."

Following Yu Mingxiao's instructions, Yu Yuanzhen swallowed the bamboo pith at the very top of the bamboo, then immediately began refining its medicinal power.

Because his cultivation had reached the realm of a Title Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen refined the medicinal power extremely quickly. In just over ten minutes, he had refined the bamboo pith's medicinal power.

"Father, see what changes you've experienced," Yu Mingxiao said with a smile.

Yu Yuanzhen sensed his Martial Soul, and his heart immediately shook. "My Soul Power Level actually rose by one, reaching Level 93. My lightning attribute has become several times more violent, and even my physique seems to have improved slightly."

"This Immortal Herb truly is a treasure. Even for a Title Douluo like me, it has such an effect."

"Heavenly Thunder Bamboo is fairly compatible with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, so it naturally has such remarkable effects. If Father had taken this Immortal Herb when you were younger, the results would have been even better," Yu Mingxiao said with a soft laugh.

Yu Yuanzhen nodded and adjusted to his surging Soul Power, a smile curling across his lips.

But soon, as if he had thought of something, his smile gradually faded. He said with emotion, "Your Soul Power has already broken through Level 50. Such cultivation speed is truly unimaginable."

"I heard that the Clear Sky Sect has a once-in-a-century genius named Tang Hao. He's six years older than you, yet when he was your age, his Soul Power had not even reached Level 30."

"Mingxiao, you are a genius rarely seen in a thousand years since the founding of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"As it happens, the Three Sects Grand Assembly will be held in two years. At that time, the younger generation will spar on the Soul Fighting Platform. You can take the stage and fight on behalf of the sect, letting the other two sects witness the splendor of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"What is the Three Sects Grand Assembly?" Yu Mingxiao froze slightly before asking tentatively, "A gathering of the Upper Three Sects?"

"More or less." Yu Yuanzhen said solemnly, "In your grandfather's generation, the Three Sects Grand Assembly was an exchange gathering held once every fifteen years by the Upper Three Sects."

"Now, it has gradually evolved into a sparring competition between the younger generation."

"All three sects will offer rewards as stakes. In the end, they are competing for pride and face."

"The previous Three Sects Grand Assembly was held at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This time, it should be our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's turn."

"At the assembly, you will meet the top geniuses of the Upper Three Sects."

"The competitions among the younger generation are limited to those under twenty. As long as you obtain another Soul Ring, you can advance to Soul King, fight on behalf of the sect, make a name for yourself, and win glory for the sect."

Under twenty? In that case, Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Sect will already be unable to participate. My strongest opponent will likely be Tang Hao alone... Yu Mingxiao thought to himself.

Tang Xiao was more than ten years older than Tang Hao, roughly the same age as Dugu Bo. He was already in his thirties, so naturally he could not participate in the Three Sects Grand Assembly competition.