Opportunity Within the Poison Miasma

Seeing the soul ring emerge, Yu Yuanzhen gently patted his shoulder. "Sit cross-legged, release your martial soul, and draw the ring over to absorb it."

Yu Mingxiao obediently sat down cross-legged where he was and summoned the Radiant Sacred Dragon. Drawn by that golden glow, the Golden Earth Dragon's soul ring slowly flew toward him.

Then it settled around the Radiant Sacred Dragon martial soul.

The martial soul was deeply connected to the soul scholar. Yu Mingxiao felt a scorching energy surge madly into him, an intense heat current rushing through his body. In an instant, it felt as though his insides were on fire, and his body could not stop trembling.

You have to hold on... Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly and prayed silently.

Five hours later.

A breeze swept through the forest, gently brushing across Yu Mingxiao's still-youthful face.

Yu Mingxiao slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam bursting from them. Behind him, the phantom of the Radiant Sacred Dragon let out a dragon's roar, and a yellow soul ring rose from beneath his feet.

A smile appeared on his face. "I finally absorbed that soul ring."

"How does it feel?!"

Yu Yuanzhen strode forward quickly. He had truly been worried sick for Yu Mingxiao just now.

After all, he had never imagined that a Soul Scholar could forcibly absorb a soul ring over seven hundred years old.

With a faint smile at the corner of his lips, Yu Mingxiao said, "Father, my Soul Power Level has broken through to level 13. I have never felt so refreshed."

"Hahaha—"

Yu Yuanzhen laughed heartily, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement and pride. "Excellent! Mingxiao, you have broken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's record for the first soul ring, and perhaps even the record for the entire soul scholar world."

A first soul ring over seven hundred years old—he would not even have dared to imagine it before.

At this rate, it was practically certain that Yu Mingxiao's second soul ring would be a thousand-year soul ring!

"Try out your first soul skill and see what it does," Yu Yuanzhen said with a smile.

"First soul skill—Sacred Dragon Flame Light."

Yu Mingxiao let out a low roar. Golden light blazed from his eyes, and golden radiance erupted around him. Fine platinum dragon scales covered his wrists, and his aura surged dramatically.

Yu Yuanzhen nodded slightly and smiled. "It seems to be a buff-type soul skill. Not bad."

Yu Mingxiao said, "This is my first soul skill, Sacred Dragon Flame Light. It grants 10% damage reduction, an 80% boost to light attribute power, and a 50% boost to attack, defense, and speed."

"Damage reduction? You mean it reduces incoming damage?" Yu Yuanzhen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. When I activate my first soul skill, damage inflicted on me by others will be reduced by 10%. Perhaps it is related to the Golden Earth Dragon King's high defense," Yu Mingxiao said with a smile and a nod.

Yu Yuanzhen revealed a satisfied smile. "For a first soul ring to have such enhancement effects, it is already exceptional."

"Since we have obtained the soul ring, it is time to head back."

"Once we return, familiarize yourself with this soul skill some more. In addition, I will arrange for clan disciples to spar with you and help you gain combat experience."

"Alright." Yu Mingxiao smiled faintly and casually stored the Golden Earth Dragon's corpse in his Soul Tool.

The two left the Star Dou Great Forest by another route, but on the way, they encountered a stretch of poisonous miasma.

Yu Yuanzhen said, "This poisonous miasma had already existed when I was a child. I have not been here for many years, yet not only has it not dispersed, it has even spread farther."

"Mingxiao, stay away. Do not get close to the miasma."

It had already existed when he was a child... Yu Mingxiao fell into thought, then looked up at Yu Yuanzhen and suggested, "Father, why don't we enter the miasma?"

"What did you say?"

Yu Yuanzhen furrowed his brow, his voice low. "Ordinary soul scholars would avoid this poisonous miasma at all costs, yet you want to enter it willingly?"

"Father, I feel that this miasma is unusual."

"What do you mean? Today, you must give me a reason convincing enough," Yu Yuanzhen said.

Yu Mingxiao voiced his speculation. "Generally speaking, treasures are found in dangerous places."

"The more dangerous a place is, and the fewer people who dare enter it, the less likely it is to attract attention—and the more likely it is to conceal unknown opportunities."

"No one would enter this poisonous miasma for no reason, right?"

"Mingxiao, are you saying this poisonous miasma conceals some kind of opportunity?" Yu Yuanzhen's expression eased slightly as he asked uncertainly.

"Father, it is only a guess." Yu Mingxiao thought for a moment before continuing, "But if there truly is some opportunity hidden deep within this miasma, that would be a good thing."

"Then I will take you in to have a look. Come, hold my hand. I will use Soul Power to protect us," Yu Yuanzhen replied in a deep voice after a moment of silence.

He was already a Title Douluo, so this poisonous miasma naturally could not harm him. However, six-year-old Yu Mingxiao had no means of resisting it, so he needed Yu Yuanzhen's protection.

Yu Mingxiao obediently took Yu Yuanzhen's large hand.

Soul Power surged around Yu Yuanzhen as blue lightning intertwined and coiled around him, forming a layer of lightning barrier that protected them both.

The two flew into the poisonous miasma together. After traveling for a while and passing through the dense, cloudlike poisonous vapor, they entered its depths. Yet the surroundings were perfectly clear, without even a trace of poison gas.

Yu Mingxiao looked around. The place was very open, with few trees. Instead, many flowers and herbs grew there. He recognized several precious medicinal plants, while many others were plants he had never seen before.

He did not know whether they were immortal-grade herbs.

Probably not...

After all, there was no environment like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well here, suitable for the growth of immortal herbs. It was impossible for immortal herbs to grow in clusters like this.

Still, the fact that so many precious medicinal herbs could grow in this patch of land was itself highly unusual.

"Hmm? Dragon Blood Grass, Pure Heart Orchid, Spirit Ripple Mushroom... There are actually so many precious herbs hidden here?"

Yu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up as he smiled. "Mingxiao, if you had not reminded me, I never would have imagined that such good things were hidden within this poisonous miasma."

Yu Yuanzhen recognized several relatively rare herbs among them. They would be extremely effective for brewing medicinal baths and treating injuries.

Yu Mingxiao said, "Father, collect all these spiritual herbs first. Later, I will have to trouble you to dig up the soil here."

"Hm?" Yu Yuanzhen froze, his face full of surprise. "What do you need to dig up the soil for?"

Yu Mingxiao said, "Father, have you never suspected it? The reason so many medicinal herbs can grow here is probably because something is hidden beneath this soil."

"Something is hidden?" Yu Yuanzhen asked uncertainly, his voice deep. "Then the true opportunity may be beneath the soil?"

Yu Mingxiao nodded gently without saying more.

After a moment of silence, Yu Yuanzhen said, "I will collect these herbs first. Do not touch them. There may well be dangerous poisonous plants among them."

"Mhm, thank you, Father." Yu Mingxiao nodded obediently and stood to one side.

Yu Yuanzhen stored over a hundred herbs in his Soul Tool, then activated his Soul Power. His right hand transformed into a dragon claw, which continuously dug through the soil beneath his feet.

Before long, layers of soil had been excavated, revealing an incomparably massive white bone before the two of them!