[The scene continues…]
When Yu Yuanzhen saw the unwavering determination in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, he fell silent for a moment.
He knew that look.
It was the same look his son had worn countless times before—when he first insisted on cultivating despite his weak foundation, when he pushed himself beyond exhaustion day after day, and when he refused to give up no matter how harsh the training became.
This was not stubbornness.
This was resolve.
And once Yu Xiaogang made up his mind… no one could change it.
Still, as a father, Yu Yuanzhen could not simply accept it so easily.
"How can you be so reckless?" Yu Yuanzhen said, his voice carrying a trace of anger. "Do you never consider how others would feel? What about me?"
He took a step forward, his expression complicated.
"If something were to happen to you… what would I do?"
Though his tone sounded harsh, Yu Xiaogang understood clearly.
This was not rejection.
This was concern.
And beneath that concern… was reluctant approval.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly and spread his hands.
"Father, I'm not truly risking my life," he said calmly. "If I really can't endure it, you can simply interrupt the absorption process, can't you?"
He spoke as if it were a simple matter.
As if everything were already under control.
But Yu Yuanzhen shook his head.
"Do you think I don't know you?" he said, his voice lowering.
He stepped closer and crouched down slightly so that his gaze met Yu Xiaogang's.
"Among all the children I've seen… you are the most determined."
"Other children complain after just a few days of cultivation. They cry, they give up."
"But you…"
"You've never stopped."
"No matter how tired you were, no matter how much it hurt… you never said a word."
Yu Yuanzhen's voice grew heavier with each sentence.
"Do you think I wouldn't know what you'll do when you're in danger?"
He placed a firm hand on Yu Xiaogang's shoulder.
"I know you."
"When the time comes, even if you're on the verge of death, you'll grit your teeth and endure it. You won't give up."
"That's why I'm against this."
"Not because I don't believe in you… but because I'm afraid you'll push yourself too far."
The pressure of his hand increased.
Yu Xiaogang could feel it clearly—the strength, the tension, the fear.
This was not the pressure of a Titled Douluo.
This was the weight of a father's love.
"Xiaogang," Yu Yuanzhen said, his voice now low and solemn, "you must promise me."
"If you truly can't endure it… you must tell me."
"Do not force yourself."
"If you go too far… you will die."
Yu Xiaogang looked into his father's eyes.
For a moment, silence passed between them.
Then he nodded.
"Don't worry, Father," he said softly. "I haven't lived long enough yet."
It was a simple sentence.
But it carried absolute conviction.
Yu Yuanzhen held his gaze for a moment longer before finally withdrawing his hand.
The decision… had been made.
Without further hesitation, Yu Xiaogang stepped forward.
In front of him lay the Thousand-Year Crimson Blood Flying Dragon, its massive body motionless after being subdued.
Even in its weakened state, its presence was oppressive.
Its eyes, filled with unwillingness and fury, stared directly at Yu Xiaogang.
But Yu Xiaogang did not waver.
He raised his sword.
And with a single, decisive strike—
He ended its life.
In the next moment, a deep purple spirit ring slowly emerged from the dragon's body.
It hovered in the air, radiating a powerful and ancient aura.
A thousand-year spirit ring.
A symbol of strength… and danger.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath.
Then, he summoned his martial spirit.
"Luoluo!"
A soft cry echoed as the small dragon appeared before him.
The moment it emerged, it noticed the corpse of the Crimson Blood Flying Dragon—and the floating purple spirit ring above it.
Its large, curious eyes widened.
Almost instinctively, it approached the spirit ring, examining it with interest.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly.
Then, with a controlled release of spirit power, he guided the spirit ring toward himself.
At the same time, he sat cross-legged on the ground, focusing his mind.
The little dragon returned to his side.
The moment the spirit ring reached above his head—
Everything changed.
A crushing pressure descended instantly.
Before Yu Xiaogang could react, the spirit ring rapidly shrank.
It became just slightly larger than the little dragon—
And then—
It descended.
Encircling the little dragon completely.
"Luoluo!!"
The little dragon let out a startled cry.
At the same time, a terrifying force surged into Yu Xiaogang's body.
It was scorching.
Violent.
Like molten lava pouring into his veins.
In an instant, the energy spread throughout his entire body, igniting every inch of him.
Yu Xiaogang's body trembled.
His breath grew heavy.
It felt as if he had been thrown into a sea of magma.
Beside him, Yu Yuanzhen watched everything unfold.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
"Oh gods… please protect this child," he whispered.
"Protect Xiaogang…"
He had witnessed every step of his son's journey.
Every hardship.
Every moment of perseverance.
He knew exactly what this spirit ring meant to him.
And now…
All he could do was pray.
Inside his consciousness, Yu Xiaogang felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into the burning sea.
The pain was overwhelming.
Unbearable.
But amidst the flames—
He saw it.
His martial spirit.
The little dragon.
It too was submerged in the molten energy.
Its purple fur began to fade.
Its body… began to change.
Its skin tightened.
Its limbs grew stronger.
Its plump body gradually became lean and defined.
It was evolving.
Yu Xiaogang's heart filled with joy.
This was exactly what he had hoped for.
But that joy lasted only a moment.
Because the next wave of energy arrived.
Stronger.
More violent.
Like a raging flood.
The lava surged again, crashing into his body with terrifying force.
"Ugh—!"
Yu Xiaogang's body trembled violently.
A faint groan escaped his lips.
Pain spread through every cell.
Every nerve.
Every breath became torture.
At that moment, a thought appeared in his mind.
Stop.
Call for Father.
End it.
But he knew the consequences.
If he stopped now—
He would only be able to absorb a hundred-year spirit ring.
His foundation would be damaged.
He might never have the chance to attempt a thousand-year spirit ring again.
So…
Should he give up?
No.
Absolutely not.
Gritting his teeth, Yu Xiaogang endured.
He focused his mind.
He guided the raging energy.
He refined it.
Again and again.
But the pain did not lessen.
Instead, it grew stronger.
Another wave crashed into him.
His skin began to split.
Blood seeped out, staining his body.
Outside, Yu Yuanzhen saw it.
His son's body was now covered in blood.
His expression changed instantly.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, ready to intervene.
But then—
He hesitated.
He remembered the look in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
The determination.
The refusal to give up.
His hand trembled.
And in the end…
He stopped.
Time passed slowly.
Painfully.
Minute by minute.
Yu Xiaogang's body was drenched in blood.
Yu Yuanzhen, a Titled Douluo, found his own hands shaking uncontrollably.
"Xiaogang…"
"You must succeed…"
Inside his consciousness, Yu Xiaogang had lost all sense of time.
There was only one thing left.
Endurance.
Endurance.
And more endurance.
But suddenly—
He felt it.
The pain…
Had lessened.
Slightly.
"Is it… ending?" he thought.
But the scorching energy was still there.
The pain was still real.
So what had changed?
Following his instinct, Yu Xiaogang searched within his consciousness.
And then—
He saw it.
The little dragon.
It had taken on part of the burden.
It was absorbing some of the energy.
Enduring the pain.
Its body trembled.
Curled up.
Yet it did not retreat.
Just like him.
In that moment—
Despite the agony—
Yu Xiaogang felt a smile form in his heart.
How fortunate he was.
To have such a martial spirit.
A companion.
A partner.
Together…
They endured.
Together…
They evolved.
Time passed.
A day.
And a night.
Finally—
The energy began to settle.
The flames subsided.
The pain faded.
Yu Xiaogang slowly opened his eyes.
His body was drenched in blood.
But his gaze—
Was brighter than ever.
Above him, a purple spirit ring floated quietly.
Stable.
Complete.
He had succeeded.
Yu Xiaogang had absorbed his first spirit ring.
A thousand-year spirit ring.
An achievement never seen before.
A miracle.
And the beginning…
Of something far greater.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)