Yu Yuanzhen opened the jade box, revealing the Scarlet Fire Crimson Spinach inside to the two brothers.
Thinking of the herb's effects, Yu Xiaogang swallowed and ventured in a quiet voice, "Father, could you give me this herb to take? Perhaps my talent will improve after I take it."
"You?" Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly, his old face darkening. "Xiaogang, do you have a death wish? Do you think you can just swallow any medicine you please?"
"Never mind that you're not a fire-attribute Soul Master and this herb could easily scorch your meridians. Its medicinal potency alone could probably make your body burst!"
"I... Father, but I don't want to be trash. Big brother's talent is already so good that he could do with or without this herb, but I'm different. I need this herb." Yu Xiaogang spoke in a low voice, his head sinking lower and lower.
"You say you don't want to be trash?"
Yu Yuanzhen's face darkened. He reached out and turned his son's head upright, making him look him in the eye. "Let me ask you: when I first told you to practice martial arts, why did you refuse?"
"And when you did practice, you refused to put your heart into it. Yu Luowu told me that ten days ago, he had you demonstrate your kicking techniques. You made mistake after mistake, and your kicks weren't even as good as your Martial Soul's!"
"You don't have the heart to grow stronger at all. Even your Martial Soul works harder than you do!!"
Yu Xiaogang's heart shook violently. His pupils contracted, and he stumbled back again and again. "I... I do..."
He wanted to argue his way out of it, but he couldn't find a suitable excuse.
He felt that with his talent, no matter how hard he worked, it wouldn't do a damn thing.
Disgust showed on Yu Yuanzhen's face. He raised a hand. "Enough. I won't give you this precious herb. Go back and reflect on yourself!"
"Also, Yu Xuan will be moving out. I've arranged another residence for him, so you two no longer need to live together."
"Yes." Yu Xiaogang's expression dimmed. He turned away dejectedly and rode off on Luo Sanpao, sorrowful.
Though he hadn't managed to get the Immortal Herb, his father had made his big brother move out. Perhaps that was the only good news for him.
At least he wouldn't have to watch his big brother shine so brilliantly every day.
After Gangzi left, Yu Yuanzhen said, "Xiao Xuan, have you decided whether to take this immortal-grade herb?"
"There's no need to think about it. I'm willing to take it."
Yu Xuan didn't hesitate. Immortal Herbs were hard to come by, and he was at the stage of laying his foundation. There was no reason to refuse an opportunity delivered right to his mouth.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded and raised a hand in invitation. "Good. Take it here, then. I'll stand guard beside you."
"I read in the illustrated guide that every immortal-grade herb contains medicinal potency. After taking one, you have to refine its potency, just like absorbing a Soul Ring."
Yu Xuan understood that his father was worried something might happen to him. Without saying anything more, he picked up the Immortal Herb and swallowed it.
A stream of scalding medicinal potency spread through his meridians. Yu Xuan immediately sat down cross-legged and circulated his Soul Power to refine it.
Time slowly passed.
Five hours went by.
Yu Xuan slowly opened his eyes and let out a soft breath of turbid air.
The first thing he saw was Yu Yuanzhen, who had been guarding him all along.
He slowly stood up and flexed the joints throughout his body.
Feeling the strength filling his body and his surging spiritual power, Yu Xuan's lips curved slightly upward.
"What changes did you experience after taking the herb?" Yu Yuanzhen hurried over to ask.
Yu Xuan said, "My body and spirit have both grown much stronger. My Soul Power has risen to level 17."
"Level 17? You rose four levels in an instant. Could this be pulling up the seedlings to help them grow?"
Hearing the Soul Power Level he reported, Yu Yuanzhen showed no delight. Instead, his face filled with alarm.
If this was pulling up the seedlings to help them grow, Yu Xuan's cultivation foundation would be ruined!
As the thought crossed his mind, Yu Yuanzhen hurriedly seized Yu Xuan's hand and sent a gentle stream of spiritual power through his limbs and bones.
Yet he found that Yu Xuan's foundation was completely intact, and his Soul Power was quite solid, though he couldn't control it freely just yet. The resilience of his meridians and the density of his bones had also improved considerably.
"There really isn't a problem..." Yu Yuanzhen breathed a quiet sigh of relief and withdrew his spiritual power.
Yu Xuan looked at him and smiled. "Don't worry, Father. This Immortal Herb didn't pull up the seedlings to help them grow. My cultivation foundation is rock solid."
"Xiao Xuan, I never expected that taking this herb would be no different from breaking through normally. Your physique and spiritual power have both grown much stronger too. Its medicinal effect is truly astonishing!" Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help exclaiming.
"Why else would it be called an Immortal Herb? Such a thing should only exist in heaven; how often can it be heard of in the mortal world?" Yu Xuan chuckled.
He felt that the Immortal Herb's strength didn't lie in raising Soul Power. Most of its medicinal potency had gone into those three effects, strengthening his body considerably and giving his spiritual power a corresponding boost.
In his current condition, absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring at level 20 might still be difficult, but once he reached level 30, he would be very confident.
Once a Soul Ring reached ten thousand years, it would undergo a qualitative transformation, and its Soul Skill would become noticeably stronger.
"That's a fitting description. This Immortal Herb truly is extraordinary."
Yu Yuanzhen sighed in admiration, then smiled. "Xiao Xuan, I had you move out mainly because I was worried that fellow, your younger brother, would affect you. I hope you understand."
"It's fine. I've wanted to move out for a while too. Living in the same residence as Gangzi always felt a little uncomfortable. Father, where is the place you arranged for me?" Yu Xuan couldn't help asking.
"Haha, I'm glad you understand. Come, follow me." Yu Yuanzhen smiled, raised a hand for him to follow, and led the way.
Yu Xuan followed him along a winding route until they arrived at the entrance to a residence in the classical style.
The two guards at the gate and the steward hurriedly bowed when they saw Yu Yuanzhen approaching. "Sect master."
Yu Yuanzhen raised a hand, signaling them to rise. He looked at Yu Xuan. "This residence has three courtyards. From now on, it's yours."
"There's a steward, five servants, six maids, and two guards here. If you feel you need more people, just tell me."
Yu Xuan smiled. "That's enough. I don't need anything else for now."
This residence was much more spacious than the one he and Yu Xiaogang had lived in before. Clearly, his father had put thought into arranging a place for him.
"Then I'll be going. If you need anything, have the steward let me know."
After giving those instructions, Yu Yuanzhen turned and left.
Yu Xuan watched his father leave, then looked at the steward standing respectfully to one side. "What's your name?"
The steward replied respectfully, "Young master, my name is Zhang Fu."
"Zhang Fu?" Yu Xuan raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Then I'll call you Uncle Fu from now on."
"Young master, you mustn't! I'm not worthy of such a title." Zhang Fu was alarmed.
"It's all right. It's just a form of address. I'm used to calling people that." Yu Xuan smiled faintly.
Seeing Zhang Fu lower his head without a word, Yu Xuan said, "Take me to my bedroom."
"Yes." Zhang Fu breathed a quiet sigh of relief.