The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect possessed an enormous collection of records regarding light-attributed spirit beasts.
For ordinary Spirit Masters, that information would have been more than enough for an entire lifetime of cultivation.
But Yu Xiaogang was not an ordinary Spirit Master.
His first spirit ring had already broken convention—a thousand-year ring obtained through risking his life.
His second spirit ring had gone even further, reaching five thousand years.
Having already achieved what countless others considered impossible, Yu Xiaogang had no intention of settling for mediocrity.
He wanted more.
More knowledge.
More strength.
More possibilities.
That was why he stood before his father now, expression serious and voice calm.
"Father," Yu Xiaogang said, meeting Yu Yuanzhen's gaze directly, "I want to go to Spirit Hall and study their knowledge."
The room fell silent.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at his son, fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his chair as he considered the request.
Spirit Hall.
That name carried tremendous weight across the Douluo Continent.
The Qian Family, rulers of Spirit Hall, possessed one of the most famous light-attributed martial spirits in existence. Their Angel lineage was known by every major power.
Because Spirit Hall worshipped the Angel God, Spirit Masters awakened with light-attributed martial spirits were naturally welcomed there.
Beyond that, Spirit Hall's reputation had been built not only through power, but also through leadership.
The previous Pope, Qian Daoliu, had been respected throughout the continent for his upright conduct and clear sense of justice.
During his era, Spirit Hall's prestige had reached unparalleled heights.
Later, Qian Daoliu stepped back from administration and passed authority to his son, Qian Xunji.
Though Qian Xunji lacked his father's charisma and moral standing, Spirit Hall still continued to attract countless Spirit Masters.
Why?
Because many of its policies genuinely benefited ordinary people.
They offered aid to civilian Spirit Masters, promoted education, regulated rogue soul masters, and created systems that gave commoners chances otherwise denied by noble clans.
For someone like Yu Xiaogang, who valued knowledge above empty pride, Spirit Hall was naturally attractive.
He had never been to Spirit City before.
Yet even so, he held a favorable impression of it.
Then, unexpectedly, another memory surfaced.
A girl.
Bibi Dong.
He remembered meeting her in the Star Dou Great Forest while obtaining his first spirit ring.
He remembered her intelligence.
Her confidence.
And the promise she made before parting.
"When you come to Spirit City, I'll treat you to a good meal."
Yu Xiaogang did not lack food.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect certainly did not starve its young master.
Yet for some reason, he found himself strangely curious.
What kind of meal would she choose?
Would she really remember?
Would she even recognize him years later?
Yu Xiaogang shook his head lightly, dismissing those wandering thoughts.
Now was not the time for distractions.
He focused once more on Yu Yuanzhen and waited for his answer.
A Father's Thoughts
In truth, Yu Yuanzhen did not reject the idea as much as one might expect.
Ever since his son had awakened from his former dull and withdrawn state, Yu Xiaogang had continuously shocked him.
Yu Yuanzhen had personally witnessed the transformation.
Once, Yu Xiaogang had been ridiculed by others for his talent and considered a disappointment.
Now?
Nearly everyone in the sect believed he would become one of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's future pillars.
His intelligence, determination, and accomplishments had forced everyone to reevaluate him.
Yu Yuanzhen knew one thing clearly.
His son was destined to soar like an eagle.
Someone like that could never remain confined to one place forever.
Still, even knowing this, Yu Yuanzhen had not expected Yu Xiaogang to want to leave home so early.
He was only around rank twenty.
Still young.
Still growing.
After thinking for a moment, Yu Yuanzhen asked,
"How about waiting a few more years?"
"You're only around rank twenty. Isn't it too early to head out now?"
Yu Xiaogang answered immediately.
"Too early?"
"Ordinary Spirit Masters awaken their martial spirits at six and then enter Elementary Soul Master Academies."
"I'm already eleven."
Yu Yuanzhen paused.
That was true.
By the standards of normal children, Yu Xiaogang was already behind in worldly experience.
But that was because he had spent years burying himself in cultivation.
The Child Beneath the Genius
There were many things Yu Xiaogang had wanted to see.
Spirit Master Academies.
The famous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
The grand Spirit Arenas where geniuses battled before thousands.
The bustling auction houses filled with treasures.
The great cities of the continent.
He had been curious about all of it for years.
But curiosity had always been suppressed.
Every moment had been devoted to cultivation.
Every hour had been spent trying to catch up, then surpass others.
Now things were different.
His cultivation speed had increased dramatically.
The pressure that once chained him had eased.
And the child who had long been buried beneath discipline and maturity was finally surfacing.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at his son carefully.
The eager gaze.
The excitement that could not be hidden.
The barely restrained anticipation.
For the first time in a long while, Yu Yuanzhen realized something important.
No matter how mature Yu Xiaogang behaved…
He was still a child.
His calm demeanor and sharp mind had made Yu Yuanzhen forget that.
He had unconsciously treated his son as an adult for too long.
A faint smile appeared on Yu Yuanzhen's face.
"Fine."
"If you want to go, then go."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes brightened instantly.
Even with all his self-control, a trace of joy still showed.
Confidence of a Titled Douluo
Yu Yuanzhen did not fear his son being bullied.
He was a Titled Douluo.
One of the strongest figures on the continent.
With his name standing behind Yu Xiaogang, very few would dare act recklessly.
Still, some precautions were necessary.
The Douluo Continent appeared peaceful on the surface, but beneath that surface every major faction competed constantly.
Spirit Hall.
Clear Sky Sect.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Each maintained influence, alliances, rivalries, and hidden struggles.
Yet they also generally respected boundaries.
Spirit Hall usually did not trouble outsiders unless they were fallen Spirit Masters or acted against the Angel faith or Spirit Hall's reputation.
The Clear Sky Sect mostly cared about preserving its prestige as the number one tool spirit clan.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School focused on wealth, diplomacy, and maintaining its position as the strongest support spirit force.
And the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect naturally guarded its title as the number one beast spirit clan.
As long as no one touched those foundations, open conflict was rare.
Thus, Yu Xiaogang traveling openly as Yu Yuanzhen's son would already deter most organized threats.
But there was another issue.
Yu Xiaogang's method of increasing spirit ring age.
That secret was dangerous.
Could it attract greed?
Would powerful forces seek to seize him?
Yu Yuanzhen had already prepared for that long ago.
Turning Truth into Misunderstanding
Ever since Yu Xiaogang returned with his thousand-year first spirit ring, Yu Yuanzhen had accepted an invitation to a gathering hosted by another major faction.
He still remembered it clearly.
One old rival had taken the chance to mock him repeatedly.
Insult after insult.
Mocking his son.
Mocking his sect.
Mocking the supposed shame of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Yu Yuanzhen let the man talk.
Then, when the fool had exhausted himself, Yu Yuanzhen asked only one question.
"How did you know my son's first spirit ring is a thousand-year ring?"
That single sentence changed the entire gathering.
The rest of the event became Yu Yuanzhen's stage.
Naturally, many details were altered.
The matter of whale glue was concealed entirely.
Though people were disappointed not to learn the method, they understood perfectly.
If they possessed such a secret, they would hide it too.
Yu Yuanzhen also deliberately downplayed Yu Xiaogang's own brilliance.
Instead, he allowed everyone to assume the truth they found easiest to believe:
That Yu Xiaogang's success was only possible because his Titled Douluo father had secretly arranged everything.
Yu Yuanzhen never corrected them.
Why would he?
Misunderstanding was useful.
Prejudice was useful.
Once people formed the impression that Yu Xiaogang relied entirely on his father, then future accomplishments would also be dismissed the same way.
That meant fewer would view him as a threat too early.
And one day—
When Yu Xiaogang truly rose through his own strength—
The shocked expressions on all their faces would be priceless.
With Yu Yuanzhen and the sect elders quietly guiding rumors, most high-level figures across the continent now knew one thing:
Yu Yuanzhen doted excessively on his youngest son.
That image alone served as protection.
Whenever people saw Yu Xiaogang, they would think first of the Titled Douluo standing behind him.
Very few would dare make a move.
The Real Danger
Thus, Yu Xiaogang's greatest risks did not come from major factions.
They came from ordinary hot-blooded Spirit Masters.
Rogue fighters.
Bandits.
Small-time opportunists.
Men too foolish to understand consequences.
Those people might attack for treasure, jealousy, or impulse.
They were unpredictable.
And that made them dangerous.
Yu Yuanzhen narrowed his eyes.
If Yu Xiaogang wished to travel, then he needed someone powerful beside him.
A protector.
A bodyguard strong enough to crush trouble before it began.
Someone loyal.
Someone reliable.
Someone who could also teach him through experience on the road.
Yu Yuanzhen's mind quickly searched through names within the sect.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang remained unaware of the details racing through his father's thoughts.
His own heart had already drifted elsewhere.
Spirit City.
The center of Spirit Hall.
A place of power, faith, and knowledge.
A city he had never seen.
And somewhere there…
A girl named Bibi Dong who had promised him a meal.
For the first time in years, Yu Xiaogang felt something beyond the desire to cultivate.
Excitement.
The world outside the sect gates was finally opening before him.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)