Because of the Grand Elder's intervention, Yu Yuanzhen did not immediately absorb the mysterious Thunder Vajra Grass.
Instead, everyone turned their attention toward another matter.
Finding a suitable Immortal Herb for the Grand Elder.
Although the Grand Elder possessed the same Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul as Yu Yuanzhen, his situation was far less optimistic.
His cultivation had long been stuck at Rank 88.
For more than twenty years, he had failed to make even the slightest progress.
To ordinary Spirit Masters, reaching Spirit Douluo rank was already an incredible achievement.
However, for someone who stood only a single step away from becoming a Titled Douluo, such stagnation was unbearable.
The Grand Elder had spent decades watching that final door remain closed before him.
Without a special opportunity, he would likely remain trapped at Rank 88 for the rest of his life.
Originally, Yu Yuanzhen had already made plans.
Once they returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, the Spirit Bone with the highest age among their recent gains would be given to the Grand Elder.
With luck, that Spirit Bone might help him break through.
At least, that had been the original plan.
But now, standing within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and surrounded by countless Immortal Herbs, Yu Xiaogang's thoughts had changed completely.
This was no longer a matter of chance.
In his opinion, the Grand Elder's breakthrough was practically guaranteed.
After wandering through the medicinal garden for some time, Yu Xiaogang finally stopped.
His gaze landed upon a peculiar purple herb.
It resembled a ganoderma mushroom, yet possessed an extraordinary appearance.
Nine violet leaves spread outward from its stem.
A faint purple halo surrounded its body.
Most importantly, it grew exactly at the point where the energies of ice and fire reached perfect balance.
The herb quietly absorbed both forces while remaining completely unharmed.
Yu Xiaogang smiled.
"I've found it."
Everyone immediately gathered around.
The Grand Elder looked at the herb curiously.
"What is it?"
Yu Xiaogang pointed toward the plant.
"Grand Elder, I believe the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma is the most suitable Immortal Herb for you."
The Grand Elder raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"And why is that?"
Curiosity appeared on his aged face as he crouched beside the herb for a closer look.
The faint purple glow reflected within his eyes.
Yu Xiaogang began his explanation.
"The Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma is a rare Immortal Herb that strengthens one's foundation and nourishes the origin."
"It benefits the body's vitality, increases cultivation, stabilizes spirit power, and enhances a Spirit Master's future potential."
He paused briefly before delivering the most important point.
"Most importantly..."
"It can raise a person's cultivation limit."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widened.
Even the usually calm Grand Elder became visibly startled.
"Raise cultivation limits?"
The Grand Elder slowly repeated the words.
For Spirit Masters, there was almost nothing more important.
Countless talented individuals spent their entire lives trapped by their innate limitations.
Many Spirit Douluo experts never became Titled Douluo because their potential simply ended there.
The Grand Elder himself was one of those unfortunate people.
His bottleneck had lasted over twenty years.
Yet now, Yu Xiaogang was telling him that this herb could solve that problem.
Yu Xiaogang nodded firmly.
"That's right."
"As long as you successfully refine the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, becoming a Titled Douluo will no longer be a dream."
The Grand Elder fell silent.
Even someone of his experience found it difficult to remain calm.
For a moment, his hands trembled slightly.
Yu Yuanzhen noticed the reaction and quickly spoke.
"Grand Elder, this opportunity—"
Before he could finish, the old man waved him silent.
"No need to say anything further."
His eyes remained fixed on the herb.
"I'll absorb it immediately."
There was determination in his voice.
After waiting for over two decades, he had no intention of delaying another moment.
The Grand Elder turned toward Yu Xiaogang.
"What should I do?"
Yu Xiaogang immediately explained.
"You'll need a jade tool."
"The herb must be harvested with its roots intact."
"Do not damage the root system."
"As for consumption, simply eat the entire plant."
The Grand Elder nodded.
Fortunately, as a high-ranking member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, he possessed plenty of treasures.
With a flash of light, a jade harvesting tool appeared in his hand.
Following Yu Xiaogang's instructions carefully, he dug around the herb.
His movements were far more cautious than anyone would have expected.
If outsiders saw this powerful Rank 88 Spirit Douluo acting so delicately, they would likely be shocked.
Eventually, the entire Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma was removed successfully.
Not a single root had been damaged.
The Grand Elder carefully brushed away the soil before taking a deep breath.
Then, without hesitation, he swallowed the entire herb.
A rich fragrance instantly spread through the air.
The medicinal aroma lingered around him.
Soon afterward, the Grand Elder found a quiet corner nearby and sat down cross-legged.
Spirit power began circulating throughout his body.
The process of refining the Immortal Herb had begun.
Everyone watched silently.
No one wished to disturb him.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes were filled with anticipation.
Even if the Grand Elder only reached Rank 89 after absorbing the herb, the outcome would still be extraordinary.
Combined with a high-level Spirit Bone afterward, the chances of breaking through to Titled Douluo would become extremely high.
However, Yu Xiaogang believed the result would be even better.
Much better.
While the Grand Elder focused on cultivation, the others remained within the medicinal garden.
Yu Xiaogang suddenly turned toward two people nearby.
Dugu Bo.
Lin Lang.
Both men had accompanied them throughout this journey.
Now that they stood before an entire garden of Immortal Herbs, Yu Xiaogang naturally had no intention of excluding them.
After all, winning people's loyalty was often more valuable than obtaining a few extra treasures.
"Elder Dugu."
"Uncle Lin."
"There are countless Immortal Herbs here."
He smiled warmly.
"Do either of you have something you need?"
Both men froze.
Dugu Bo even pointed at himself.
"We get a share too?"
His voice carried obvious disbelief.
Honestly, he had never expected such generosity.
From his perspective, the rewards he had already received were beyond imagination.
The Medusa Spirit Ring.
A sixty-thousand-year skull bone.
Those gains alone would have made this trip worthwhile.
Yet now Yu Xiaogang was offering even more.
Yu Xiaogang laughed.
"A share for everyone."
"Besides, both of you are already members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."
Naturally, this decision had received Yu Yuanzhen's approval.
Otherwise, even Yu Xiaogang wouldn't have distributed such precious resources casually.
Originally, his plan had been different.
The Immortal Herbs would only be allocated to himself, Yu Yuanzhen, and the Grand Elder.
The remaining herbs would be reserved until the Sect elders arrived.
Only then would a proper distribution take place.
But circumstances had changed.
Sometimes generosity produced greater returns.
Lin Lang immediately smiled.
"Thank you, Young Sect Master."
His gratitude was genuine.
Following Yu Xiaogang had already brought him benefits beyond imagination.
The future suddenly seemed brighter than ever.
Beside him, Dugu Bo shared the same thoughts.
For perhaps the first time in many years, he genuinely felt lucky.
Yu Yuanzhen observed their reactions with satisfaction.
Very good.
Exactly what he wanted.
The more these people trusted and supported his son, the smoother Yu Xiaogang's path toward becoming the next Sect Master would become.
And when that day finally arrived...
Yu Yuanzhen could happily retire.
Just imagining such a future brought a smile to his face.
At that moment, Lin Lang spoke.
"If possible..."
"I would like an Immortal Herb capable of raising my cultivation limit."
His gaze drifted toward the Grand Elder.
As a Spirit Douluo, how could he not dream of becoming a Titled Douluo?
That final step represented a completely different world.
Failing to cross it would be a lifelong regret.
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Understood."
Then he turned toward Dugu Bo.
"What about you, Elder Dugu?"
"After absorbing your Spirit Bone, becoming a Titled Douluo is practically guaranteed."
"Do you have any other requests?"
Dugu Bo opened his mouth.
At first, he wanted exactly the same thing.
A higher cultivation limit.
After all, even Titled Douluo wasn't the end of the road.
There were still many levels beyond that.
Who wouldn't want greater potential?
Yet before the words left his mouth, another thought emerged.
A much more important thought.
The flaw.
The curse that haunted the Dugu Family.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul brought immense poison abilities.
But it also carried deadly consequences.
For generations, poison accumulated inside their bodies.
Eventually, it consumed them from within.
Neither Dugu Bo nor his son, Dugu Xin, could escape that fate.
If the problem remained unsolved, death was only a matter of time.
A cultivation breakthrough suddenly seemed insignificant compared to that.
Slowly, Dugu Bo looked toward Yu Xiaogang and Yu Yuanzhen.
His expression became unusually serious.
"Sect Master."
"Young Sect Master."
His voice lowered.
"May I ask you something?"
Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Xiaogang immediately straightened.
They understood.
Dugu Bo was finally preparing to reveal the secret he had hidden for many years.
And a secret of that magnitude was only shared with people he truly trusted.
After a brief silence, Yu Yuanzhen spoke firmly.
"Of course."
"You can trust us completely."
Dugu Bo stared at him for several seconds.
Then he laughed softly and shook his head.
Perhaps he was right.
These two had already treated him better than many blood relatives ever would.
Taking a deep breath, Dugu Bo finally made his decision.
"Our Dugu Family's Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul..."
"...has a fatal flaw."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)