After escorting Yu Tianheng and the others back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen made his way across the continent to the Star Luo Desert to hunt down a third spirit ring for Yu Tianming.
Then, he traveled across the desert to Hanhai City and spent nearly two months at sea, acquiring four more spirit rings for the group.
Since leaving the clan, the clan master Yu Yuanzhen hadn't returned for almost half a year.
Now, with Dugu Bo having achieved the rank of Titled Douluo, the group had just returned from the sea to Hanhai City and were now in a carriage headed back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—Yu Yuanzhen was returning to officially crown Dugu Bo.
Their route headed eastward, crossing the Heaven Dou Empire and passing through the Fasno Province and the Balak Kingdom, all the way to the clan's headquarters in Longji City.
Tang San's Holy Spirit Village was located right next to Nuoding City in Fasno Province.
If Yu Tianming brought Yu Yuanzhen and Dugu Bo along that way, they could likely retrieve the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor soul bone from behind the waterfall.
Though Yu Yuanzhen no longer feared Tang Hao, the man's unpredictable power could cause quite a commotion, attracting hatred from the Clear Sky Clan and the attention of Spirit Hall.
This year, Yu Tianming was ten, while Tang San was only five. It wouldn't be until after the Soul Master Tournament two editions from now that Tang San would obtain the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone.
It would be better to wait seven years, when the major academies began recruiting. At that time, Tang San would enter Shrek Academy, and with Tang Hao absent from the Holy Spirit Village, they could sneak in and steal it with Yu Yuanzhen's help.
Upon returning to the clan, Yu Yuanzhen first arranged accommodations for Dugu Bo and his granddaughter before heading to his own study. Yu Tianming didn't return to his courtyard but followed Yu Yuanzhen instead.
Inside the study, Yu Luomian stood and greeted him. "Big Brother, you've finally returned. You've been gone for half a year—everyone in the clan's been uneasy."
He pulled out a thick stack of documents. "These are all major matters that have piled up during your absence, just waiting for your decision."
Yu Yuanzhen sat in the main seat without even glancing at the papers. He first poured himself a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp, then said, "It's not like I died out there—what's everyone so anxious about? I've brought back a Titled Douluo for the clan. Can you rest easy now?"
Yu Luomian grew anxious at the mention of a Titled Douluo. "Where did this Titled Douluo come from? We can't just invite someone in based on their cultivation level. If they have bad intentions, it'd be like inviting a wolf into our home!"
Yu Yuanzhen said calmly, "It's no one else—it's Dugu Bo, the former Spirit Douluo. The past six months I've spent either hunting spirit rings for Tianming or helping Dugu Bo obtain his ninth ring."
Only then did Yu Luomian breathe a sigh of relief. He knew that Dugu Bo's granddaughter was in the hands of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—Dugu Bo wouldn't dare cause trouble.
Seeing the conversation settle, Yu Tianming said, "Second Grandpa has been stuck at Spirit Sage for years. Why doesn't Grandpa give him one of the Grade Nine Purple Ganodermas to help break through?"
Yu Yuanzhen couldn't even bear to use the immortal herbs himself, let alone give them to Yu Luomian. But the Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma that Tang San had given to Yu Xiaogang wasn't quite an immortal-grade herb. Yu Tianming knew this one was the most suitable to help Yu Luomian break through.
After a moment of thought, Yu Yuanzhen pulled a jade box from his storage pouch and handed it to Yu Luomian, speaking sincerely:
"Second Brother, I know you've been stuck at Spirit Sage for years, and it's been frustrating. This Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma strengthens the foundation and replenishes energy. It might help you break through your bottleneck."
Hearing his brother's comforting words hit a long-standing sore spot. Though in his seventies or eighties, Yu Luomian's eyes couldn't help but redden.
Without saying much, he wiped his face, placed the herb into his mouth, and immediately sat cross-legged in the study to begin meditating.
Once Yu Luomian began cultivating, Yu Yuanzhen brought out another jade box and handed it to Yu Tianming.
"Since we're holding a coronation for Dugu Bo, I already sent word to Erlong. She returned a few days ago with Ah Zhu and Ah Zhi."
"Those two girls are already twelve or thirteen. If they were commoners, they'd be married with kids by now. If you're willing to take them as concubines, you can split this Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma between them. Maybe they'll give me a talented great-grandchild."
Yu Tianming hadn't expected Yu Yuanzhen to be so generous, offering such a precious herb to two maids. But he didn't hesitate, picking up the jade box. "Then I'll thank Grandpa on behalf of Ah Zhu and Ah Zhi."
After thanking him, Yu Tianming didn't linger and returned to his own courtyard.
Ah Zhu and Ah Zhi, who were eating dinner, stood up immediately when they saw him return and bowed.
"No need to bow," said Yu Tianming, waving his hand. "We were together every day six months ago, and you didn't bow like this then."
Ah Zhu asked with concern, "Has the young master eaten dinner yet? If not, I'll call the cook to prepare a few more dishes."
Yu Tianming sat down and took out the jade box. "No need—I ate on the way."
Ah Zhi sat next to him and held onto his arm, her voice soft. "We haven't seen you in half a year, young master. Of course we missed you."
Yu Tianming opened the box and said to the two of them, "This herb can improve your innate talent. If you're both willing to stay with me for life, then split it between you."
Without hesitation, Ah Zhi took the herb and handed half to Ah Zhu with a chuckle. "Then we won't be shy."
Ah Zhu took the herb gently and said softly, "We've always belonged to you, young master. As long as you don't cast us aside, we ask for nothing more."
The two didn't continue eating. They chewed and swallowed the herb, then sat cross-legged to cultivate.
Seeing this, Yu Tianming, having nothing else to do, also sat nearby to meditate and guard them.
Three hours later, the two girls opened their eyes.
Ah Zhi's face lit up with joy as she clung to Yu Tianming's arm. "Young master, this half of the herb brought me to level 27!"
Ah Zhu, trying to contain her excitement, placed her hands neatly on her lap and said softly, "I should be at level 31. Once I get another spirit ring, it will manifest."
Seeing her reserved behavior, Yu Tianming pulled her into his embrace with a smile. "The two of you now have about seven innate soul power—if fate grants more opportunities, you may one day become Titled Douluo."
The Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma wasn't quite an immortal herb, but its effects were still strong. It helped the middle-aged Yu Xiaogang go from level 30 to 56 in just a few years before Tang San ascended.
Now that their cultivation had increased, the two girls, at around thirteen or fourteen, had soul power on par with the twelve-year-old members of Shrek. Their talent now was roughly equivalent to innate level seven.
Ah Zhu, more reserved than Ah Zhi, lowered her head stiffly and said in a small voice, "With talent like mine, being able to stay by your side is already more than I could ask. How could I dare dream of becoming a Titled Douluo?"
Yu Tianming was still just a ten-year-old boy. After some light teasing and conversation with the girls, he went to bed early.
(End of Chapter)
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