The entire Douluo Continent was in an uproar.
No—more accurately, both Douluo worlds were buzzing with discussion.
The topic at the center of it all was simple, yet shocking enough to overturn common sense:
Yu Xiaogang had obtained a thousand-year spirit ring as his first ring.
Such a feat had never been seen before.
It was unprecedented.
Unbelievable.
And yet—it had happened.
For a brief moment, countless Spirit Masters felt a surge of excitement.
If Yu Xiaogang could do it…
Couldn't they try as well?
The thought spread like wildfire.
However, just as quickly as it appeared, reality struck them back down.
Their gazes unconsciously shifted toward the figure who had stood beside Yu Xiaogang during the entire process—
Yu Yuanzhen.
A Titled Douluo.
A peak expert who could intervene at any moment and snatch someone back from the brink of death.
Such protection…
Was not something ordinary people could hope for.
The risks involved in absorbing a thousand-year spirit ring as the first ring were simply too terrifying.
Without absolute protection—
It would be no different from courting death.
Thus, the fleeting ambition in many hearts quickly faded.
Instead, their discussions turned toward something else.
"How monstrous is Yu Xiaogang?"
"How strong must his willpower be?"
"And most importantly…"
"What kind of spirit ability did that thousand-year ring grant him?"
Curiosity filled every corner of the continent.
Everyone waited eagerly.
[The video continues…]
When Yu Xiaogang slowly opened his eyes, he was greeted by sunlight.
Warm.
Gentle.
It bathed his entire body, bringing with it a faint sense of comfort.
For a moment, he felt as if he had returned from the edge of death.
"…I'm alive?"
His consciousness gradually returned.
Instinctively, he tried to sit up.
But the moment he moved—
"Ah—!"
A sharp, piercing pain exploded throughout his entire body.
It felt as though every bone had been shattered and forcibly pieced back together.
"Hiss… it hurts…"
The pain came in waves, relentless and overwhelming.
His muscles twitched uncontrollably.
Even the slightest movement was unbearable.
Yu Xiaogang froze, not daring to move another inch.
Yet the pain didn't subside.
Instead, it spread further, seeping into every nerve.
"Serves you right."
A voice suddenly sounded nearby.
Calm—but clearly annoyed.
Yu Xiaogang slowly turned his head.
Standing by the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, was Yu Yuanzhen.
His expression looked displeased.
But beneath that—
There was something else.
Concern.
"F-Father…" Yu Xiaogang spoke weakly. "What… happened?"
Fragments of memory began to surface.
The spirit beast.
The overwhelming pressure.
The pain.
The desperate struggle.
Then—
The moment of breakthrough.
His eyes widened suddenly.
"The spirit ring…"
He tried to circulate his spirit power.
To confirm.
To summon—
"Lie still!"
Before he could act, Yu Yuanzhen stepped forward and flicked his forehead.
"Ah—!"
Yu Xiaogang cried out again.
The flick itself wasn't strong.
But in his current state, even the slightest touch sent waves of pain through his body.
"Do you think your body is in any condition to move?" Yu Yuanzhen said sternly.
"Right now, there isn't a single part of you that isn't injured."
His tone was harsh.
But his eyes betrayed him.
"The impact of that thousand-year spirit ring nearly caused your body to collapse multiple times."
"You survived only because your willpower is extraordinary."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Even so, the violent surge of spirit power… combined with the blood you lost over the past day and night…"
"You're lucky to still be alive."
Yu Xiaogang fell silent.
"You should thank your luck," Yu Yuanzhen added.
"The path we took out of the Star Dou Great Forest led us to a large city."
"There happened to be a healing-type Spirit Emperor there."
"If not for him…"
Yu Yuanzhen didn't finish his sentence.
But the meaning was clear.
The consequences would have been unimaginable.
For a brief moment—
Silence filled the room.
Yu Xiaogang stared at the ceiling, processing everything.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"So… I really succeeded?"
His voice carried a trace of anticipation.
A trace of disbelief.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at him.
The stern expression on his face softened.
"Yes."
"You succeeded."
"You've achieved something no one in the history of the Douluo Continent has ever done."
"A first spirit ring of a thousand years."
Hearing this—
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up.
Unprecedented.
Those words echoed in his mind.
All the pain.
All the suffering.
All the risk—
Had been worth it.
His life…
Had not been in vain.
However—
Yu Yuanzhen's expression quickly turned serious again.
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
"The path of cultivation is never smooth."
"You don't know what dangers lie ahead."
His voice was steady, filled with experience.
"Xiaogang… don't rush."
As he spoke, he sat beside the bed and carefully adjusted the blanket over Yu Xiaogang.
"From now on, you can cultivate like a normal Spirit Master."
"No one will mock you anymore."
"Your so-called 'Innate Rank 1 Soul Power'…"
He paused slightly.
"…means nothing now."
Yu Xiaogang nodded slowly.
"Father…"
His voice was softer now.
"You don't have to avoid those events anymore."
Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow.
Yu Xiaogang continued.
"For the past few years… you've turned down invitations from all over the continent because of me."
The two great empires.
The upper three sects.
Spirit Hall.
Every year, countless grand events were held.
Celebrations.
Ceremonies.
Auctions.
Gatherings of powerful figures.
These were not merely social occasions.
They were opportunities—
To build connections.
To exchange resources.
To strengthen influence.
As one of the upper three sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was always invited.
Yet—
Yu Yuanzhen had never attended.
Instead, he sent others in his place.
Why?
Because of Yu Xiaogang.
Because he didn't want to hear others gossip.
Because he didn't want his son to be ridiculed.
But now—
Things were different.
Yu Xiaogang had proven himself.
A first ring of a thousand years.
That alone was enough to silence anyone.
"Hahaha!"
Yu Yuanzhen suddenly laughed.
"You're absolutely right!"
His eyes shone with excitement.
"I've stayed away from those gatherings long enough."
"Back then, I argued with an old rival during the Soul Master Tournament…"
"And ever since, I've had no interest in attending."
His expression darkened briefly.
Then—
It brightened again.
"But now…"
A grin spread across his face.
"When I attend the next gathering—"
"I'll make them all drop their jaws!"
He clenched his fist slightly, clearly imagining the scene.
Back then—
They mocked him.
They mocked his son.
And he had no way to respond.
But now?
Now everything had changed.
"I'll show them."
"I'll flaunt my son right in front of them."
"Let's see what they have to say then!"
The more he thought about it—
The happier he became.
He even began chuckling to himself, lost in his own imagination.
Watching this—
Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but smile faintly.
Then he slowly lay back down.
His body still hurt.
But his heart felt lighter.
"First spirit ring… thousand years…"
He murmured softly.
This achievement had changed everything.
It had overturned his fate.
However—
He knew clearly.
This was only the beginning.
Just as his father said—
The path of cultivation would never be smooth.
Countless challenges awaited him.
And among them—
One thing stood out the most.
"Little Dragon…"
His thoughts drifted.
During the absorption process—
Little Dragon had helped him tremendously.
Without it—
He would have failed.
There was no doubt about it.
Moreover—
Little Dragon itself had undergone changes.
Evolution.
But what kind?
He didn't know.
The curiosity gnawed at him.
He wanted to see it.
To understand it.
But—
He couldn't move.
His father wouldn't allow it.
"…This is unbearable."
Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly.
Finally, unable to hold back, he muttered:
"Why can't I summon Little Dragon right now…"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)