The Dugu Family of Heaven Dou City... Yu Yuanzhen thought for a moment, then said softly, "I've heard of your family. If I remember correctly, your inherited Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent?"
Dugu Bo nodded slightly, surprise flashing through his eyes. "That's right. I didn't expect Sect Master Yu to know of the Dugu Family."
"Haha, I've heard a little. I met Dugu Yong in Heaven Dou City when I was young. How is he related to you?" Yu Yuanzhen asked with interest.
"Dugu Yong was my father. He passed away when I was little."
At the mention of his father, Dugu Bo's voice sank, and he could not hide the sorrow in it.
It was all because of that damned backlash from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison. If not for that venom plaguing them, why would he have lost his father so young? Even the wife who had shared his life had passed away two years ago...
But everything had changed for the better now. His Martial Soul had transformed. It was no longer the Jade Phosphorous Serpent that had caused so much suffering, and he would never again endure the poison's backlash.
He owed it all to Yu Mingxiao.
"It seems this old man spoke carelessly. My condolences."
Knowing he had touched a painful wound, Yu Yuanzhen patted Dugu Bo's shoulder and said gravely, "Since my son recruited you, serve as his personal guard from now on."
"Yes." Dugu Bo cupped his fists.
The position of personal guard might not sound prestigious, but it made him one of Young Sect Master Yu Mingxiao's closest confidants. He would have plenty of chances to rise in the future.
Besides, personal guards had relatively more freedom. They did not need to entertain others constantly or be bound by the sect's tiresome formalities. Deep down, Dugu Bo was quite satisfied.
"Father, there's something I want to tell you," Yu Mingxiao said suddenly.
"What is it?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
"This isn't the place. Let's return to the sect first," Yu Mingxiao said, lowering his voice.
Yu Yuanzhen understood at once that the matter was likely important. His expression darkened, and he said, "Come with me to the Sect Master Mansion."
The group arrived at the Sect Master Mansion. After settling Dugu Bo and his son in the reception hall, Yu Mingxiao and Yu Yuanzhen entered the study for a private talk.
"Mingxiao, what is it? Why so serious?" Yu Yuanzhen asked, his face full of curiosity.
"Father, while I was out training, I found several Immortal Herbs. And... I've reached level fifty."
"Several Immortal Herbs? Like the Bright Dragon Ganoderma?"
Yu Yuanzhen's pupils contracted, his voice filled with shock.
Yu Mingxiao shook his head. "Unlike the Bright Dragon Ganoderma, each of these Immortal Herbs has its own uses."
"I reached level fifty with the help of one of them. My physique and mental strength improved tremendously as well."
Yu Yuanzhen frowned with concern. "Immortal Herbs may not damage your foundation, but after taking them one after another, are you sure they won't leave hidden problems?"
"There's nothing wrong with my body now. But the medicinal power of Immortal Herbs in me is nearly saturated. Taking more by force would backfire. The power would accumulate instead of dispersing and hinder my future cultivation," Yu Mingxiao said calmly.
Yu Yuanzhen breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "Good. As long as you know your limits."
"I don't object to using medicine to aid your cultivation. You must never become dependent on it, though."
Yu Yuanzhen had reminded him of this many times before. Warmth stirred in Yu Mingxiao's heart, and he took a stalk of bamboo from his Soul Tool.
The bamboo was sky blue from end to end, with nine segments. Lightning patterns marked each one, and faint rumbles of thunder came from within. At the very center of its hollow segments lay a solid blue crystalline core.
"This is..." Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow, his gaze drawn at once to the bamboo in Yu Mingxiao's hand.
Yu Mingxiao smiled. "This is Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, an Immortal Herb."
"The crystalline core inside is its pith. Consuming it can refine lightning-aspected Soul Power, strengthen its explosive force, and enhance the physique."
"Heavenly Thunder Bamboo?" Yu Yuanzhen repeated under his breath.
Yu Mingxiao handed him the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo. "Father, this Immortal Herb is for you. Take it now."
Yu Yuanzhen accepted it, but hesitation showed on his face.
He gently patted the back of Yu Mingxiao's hand. "Mingxiao, I'm already a Titled Douluo. I doubt an Immortal Herb will do much for me. Rather than spend this treasure on me, it would be better to help your second uncle break through his bottleneck."
Yu Mingxiao frowned slightly. "Father, it's precisely because you're a Titled Douluo that you should take this Immortal Herb."
"The stronger you become, the better you can protect the entire sect."
"Well..." Yu Yuanzhen met his eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he sighed. "Very well. I'll take it."
Following Yu Mingxiao's instructions, Yu Yuanzhen swallowed the pith from the bamboo's top segment, then began refining its medicinal power.
As a Titled Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen refined it with remarkable speed. In just over ten minutes, he had absorbed the pith's medicinal power.
"Father, see what's changed," Yu Mingxiao said with a smile.
Yu Yuanzhen sensed his Martial Soul and shook to the core. "My Soul Power Level rose by an entire level! I've reached level ninety-three. My lightning has grown fiercer, and my physique seems a little stronger too."
"This Immortal Herb truly is a treasure. It even had this much effect on a Titled Douluo like me."
"Heavenly Thunder Bamboo is quite compatible with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, so naturally it has such a remarkable effect. It would have worked even better if you'd taken it when you were young," Yu Mingxiao said with a light laugh.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded. After taking some time to adjust to his surging Soul Power, a smile tugged at his lips.
But then something seemed to occur to him. His smile faded, and he said with feeling, "Your Soul Power has already reached level fifty. Your cultivation speed is almost beyond belief."
"I heard the Clear Sky Sect has a once-in-a-century genius named Tang Hao. He's six years older than you, yet at your age, his Soul Power hadn't even reached level thirty."
"Mingxiao, you're a once-in-a-thousand-years genius, the likes of which the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hasn't seen since its founding."
"And the Three Sects Grand Assembly is only two years away. The younger generation will spar on the Soul Fighting Platform. You can take the stage on behalf of the sect and show the other two what the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can do."
"What's the Three Sects Grand Assembly?" Yu Mingxiao paused, then ventured, "A gathering of the Upper Three Sects?"
"More or less," Yu Yuanzhen said. "In your grandfather's generation, it was an exchange held by the Upper Three Sects once every fifteen years."
"Over time, it's become a competition between the younger generation."
"All three sects offer prizes. When it comes down to it, they're fighting for pride and prestige."
"The last Three Sects Grand Assembly was held by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This time, it's the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's turn."
"At the assembly, you'll meet the finest young talents of the Upper Three Sects."
"The competition is limited to those under twenty. Once you obtain another Soul Ring, you'll advance to Soul King. Then you can represent the sect, make a name for yourself, and win glory for us."
Under twenty? Then Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Sect can't compete. Tang Hao will probably be my strongest opponent... Yu Mingxiao thought.
Tang Xiao was more than ten years older than Tang Hao and around Dugu Bo's age. Now in his thirties, he naturally could not compete at the Three Sects Grand Assembly.
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