Inside the private study of Yu Yuanzhen, the atmosphere was calm but serious.
The room was spacious, decorated with dark wooden shelves lined with scrolls, books, and records gathered over many years. The scent of ink and sandalwood lingered in the air, giving the chamber the dignity expected of the leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Standing before the desk was a middle-aged man of medium build. He had a square face, broad shoulders, and long dark-blue hair tied neatly behind him. Though his appearance was steady and refined, confusion was clearly written across his face.
"You want me to accompany Xiaogang to Spirit City?"
The man stared at Yu Yuanzhen in disbelief.
"What made you suddenly decide to send him there?"
This man was Lin Lang, one of the sect's guest elders and a respected Spirit Douluo.
Yu Yuanzhen leaned back in his chair and calmly folded his hands.
"Lin Lang, you know better than most that Xiaogang is not like ordinary children."
"He may be young, but his intelligence far surpasses others of his age."
"As for the road he wishes to walk in the future, he has already made plans for himself."
Lin Lang remained silent, listening carefully.
Yu Yuanzhen continued.
"For example, in regard to spirit rings, he wishes to pursue the Extreme Path."
"He wants every spirit ring to be chosen at the highest limit his body can bear."
"But his Martial Soul is of the light attribute, and our sect possesses very few records concerning light-attributed Spirit Beasts."
He paused before adding another point.
"And when it comes to the later cultivation of a light-attributed Spirit Master…"
"In the entire Douluo Continent, what force can compare to the experience of the Qian Family of Spirit Hall?"
Those words caused Lin Lang to fall into thought.
Because Yu Yuanzhen was absolutely right.
The Importance of Experience
Spirit rings could always be worked around.
If a Spirit Master truly had no ideal choices available, they could hunt one species of Spirit Beast repeatedly at different ages and use matching rings throughout their life.
While that method often resulted in repetitive spirit abilities, it was still a valid path.
But cultivation experience was another matter entirely.
In the early stages of cultivation, growth was straightforward.
Meditate.
Accumulate spirit power.
Meditate more.
Break through.
That was enough for many young Spirit Masters.
However, once someone reached the realm of Spirit King or Spirit Emperor, simple meditation was no longer sufficient.
At that point, progress depended on comprehension.
A Spirit Master had to understand the true nature of their Martial Soul.
They had to align their mindset, habits, and cultivation method with their spirit's essence.
Many people underestimated this.
Yet countless talented Spirit Masters were trapped for years because of it.
Yu Yuanzhen gave an example.
"If someone possesses a thunder-attributed Martial Soul," he said, "yet insists on cultivating with a tranquil heart, trying to become calm as still water and endlessly tolerant…"
"That would be wrong."
Lin Lang nodded unconsciously.
Thunder was explosive.
Swift.
Violent.
Domineering.
Trying to cultivate it with excessive softness would only weaken one's growth.
"The proper mentality," Yu Yuanzhen said, "should be bold, aggressive, decisive, and powerful."
"That is true cultivation experience."
Lin Lang's Past
No one understood those words better than Lin Lang himself.
Because he had once suffered for precisely that reason.
He had not been born into nobility.
He had been a commoner Spirit Master.
Yet his talent had been excellent, possessing innate spirit power of Rank Seven.
Among ordinary families, such aptitude was already rare enough to attract envy.
During his youth, Lin Lang's progress had been smooth and effortless.
Every breakthrough came naturally.
He believed that with enough time, becoming a Spirit Saint—or even a Spirit Douluo—would be simple.
Then he reached Rank Fifty.
And everything changed.
His cultivation speed suddenly plummeted.
No matter how hard he meditated, improvement became painfully slow.
By all logic, someone with Rank Seven innate spirit power and no mistakes in spirit ring selection should have had little trouble advancing to Spirit Saint.
Yet years passed, and Lin Lang barely moved forward.
He sought guidance from many experts.
Some inspected his spirit rings.
Others examined his cultivation technique.
All said the same thing:
"There is nothing wrong."
But none of them could explain why his progress had stalled.
Eventually, unable to endure the frustration any longer, Lin Lang accepted a friend's suggestion and traveled to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
There, everything changed.
Because he shared the thunder attribute, the sect's centuries of accumulated experience immediately revealed his problem.
His mentality had been too restrained.
Too cautious.
Too soft.
Once corrected, his cultivation speed recovered rapidly.
Only then did Lin Lang understand what true inheritance meant.
That was the foundation of a great sect.
Not wealth.
Not territory.
But knowledge passed down through generations.
That experience had changed his life.
And it was the reason he later accepted Yu Yuanzhen's invitation to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Guest Elder Lin Lang
Years had passed since then.
Lin Lang was no longer the frustrated cultivator of old.
He was now a Rank Eighty-One Spirit Douluo and held the respected title of Guest Elder.
Though not a blood member of the sect, he enjoyed high status.
Even so, he still treated Yu Yuanzhen with genuine respect.
Because when he hunted his seventh and eighth spirit rings, it had been Yu Yuanzhen who personally helped him.
Without that assistance, he might never have reached his current level.
That relationship was why Yu Yuanzhen had personally called him here today.
Lin Lang sighed softly, then cupped his fists.
"Since Sect Master has personally asked…"
"I accept."
"I will escort Xiaogang safely to Spirit City."
Yu Yuanzhen smiled.
"Excellent."
Lin Lang had his own reasons for agreeing.
The current Yu Xiaogang was no longer the disappointing child others once pitied.
Anyone with eyes could see that as long as the boy matured normally, he would become someone extraordinary.
Building goodwill with such a future powerhouse would only benefit Lin Lang.
A Favor in Return
Yu Yuanzhen rose from behind his desk and walked over with a warm expression.
"It just so happens," he said, "that your youngest son is about to undergo Martial Soul Awakening, correct?"
Lin Lang blinked in surprise.
"Yes… that is true."
"Then allow me to reserve some good medicine for him."
The moment those words were spoken, Lin Lang's eyes brightened.
"Then… I thank the Sect Master!"
His voice contained obvious excitement.
Recently, all of Douluo Continent had been discussing a mysterious treasure possessed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Rumors claimed it could strengthen a Spirit Master's physique and increase the age limit of spirit rings they could safely absorb.
Naturally, every power wanted to know what it was.
But no one had discovered the answer.
Many organizations secretly investigated the sect's resource purchases, hoping to identify the source.
Yet nothing unusual ever appeared.
Their supply lists looked completely ordinary.
Even internal members of the sect knew little.
Whenever someone used the treasure, elders enforced strict secrecy.
A control-system Spirit Master would numb the target's five senses.
Then they would be taken into a small dark room.
By the time they emerged, the process was complete.
No one saw anything.
No one learned anything.
For outsiders, access required valuable trades.
Even sect members had to queue and apply.
Lin Lang had already intended to request some for his youngest son in the near future.
He had never expected Yu Yuanzhen to offer it personally.
That meant one thing.
This mission had become even more important.
No matter what happened, he would complete it perfectly.
A Strange Warning
Yu Yuanzhen chuckled.
"Hehe… Little Wolf."
That old nickname made Lin Lang straighten instinctively.
"When you are beside Xiaogang, do not treat him as some ignorant child still attending classes."
Lin Lang looked puzzled.
Yu Yuanzhen's expression turned meaningful.
"Observe everything he does."
"If he says something you don't understand, ask him."
"If he does something you cannot comprehend, ask him."
"And do not put on the airs of a Spirit Douluo."
Lin Lang scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Sect Master… he's only a child."
Yu Yuanzhen snorted lightly.
"A child?"
"Even as a Spirit Douluo, you may learn much from him."
"Perhaps not for yourself…"
"But your descendants may benefit greatly."
Those words stunned Lin Lang.
Though he did not fully understand them, he could hear the seriousness in Yu Yuanzhen's tone.
So he nodded solemnly.
"I will remember."
Yu Yuanzhen watched him carefully, then smiled in satisfaction.
Good.
At least the man had listened.
Plans for Spirit City
With Lin Lang arranged as Xiaogang's protector, Yu Yuanzhen turned to the next matter.
Spirit City.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Should I simply write a letter?"
That would certainly be the easiest solution.
As Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, a personal letter from him carried considerable weight.
Yet after a moment, he slowly shook his head.
"No."
"This is too important."
His gaze sharpened.
"I should personally make a trip to Spirit City."
Lin Lang looked up.
Yu Yuanzhen continued:
"It is also a good chance to escort Xiaogang there myself."
That decision carried deeper meaning than the words suggested.
Sending Yu Xiaogang alone might imply a simple educational exchange.
But if Yu Yuanzhen personally delivered him, it would signal something greater:
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect valued this child immensely.
It would also show Spirit Hall that Xiaogang was not someone to be treated casually.
Lin Lang finally understood and nodded.
A personal visit from the sect master would change everything.
Yu Yuanzhen walked to the window and looked out at the distant mountains of the sect.
The winds outside crackled faintly with thunder.
His eyes softened.
Xiaogang was walking a road unlike anyone else.
And if the boy truly wished to stand at the summit one day…
Then even Spirit City would merely be another step forward.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)