"Where did you run off to just now? I couldn't find you anywhere."
The moment Yu Xiaogang returned to his father's side, he was greeted by Yu Yuanzhen's resentful voice.
Looking up, Yu Xiaogang almost burst out laughing.
His father looked utterly exhausted.
The usually dignified Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan appeared as though he had just survived a battlefield. His expression was full of grievance, and there was even a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
"Pfft—Father, what happened to you?"
Yu Xiaogang barely managed to suppress his laughter.
Seeing his son trying so hard not to laugh only made Yu Yuanzhen more annoyed.
"What happened?" he snorted. "You disappeared somewhere to enjoy peace and quiet while I was left here alone."
"Everyone who wanted to know about you came to me instead."
Yu Xiaogang blinked in confusion.
"Then why didn't you find somewhere to hide too?"
To him, it was the simplest solution imaginable.
Yet Yu Yuanzhen looked at him as though he were an idiot.
"You make it sound easy," he said helplessly. "I'm not like you. I can't just vanish whenever I want."
"I know people all across the Douluo Continent. As the Sect Master of one of the Upper Three Sects, I have to maintain relationships and connections."
Hearing that, Yu Xiaogang immediately showed a look of rejection.
"That sounds exhausting."
He shook his head firmly.
"No matter what happens in the future, I definitely don't want to become part of the Sect's management."
"Especially not Sect Master."
The moment those words came out, Yu Yuanzhen nearly exploded.
"You little brat!"
He glared at his son angrily.
"Do you know how many people dream of becoming the Sect Master of one of the Upper Three Sects?"
"And you're rejecting it like it's some burden?"
Despite his scolding tone, however, Yu Yuanzhen secretly felt proud.
After all, only someone truly confident in themselves would dare dismiss such a position so casually.
Still, what Yu Yuanzhen didn't realize was that Yu Xiaogang genuinely meant every word.
He truly had no interest in becoming Sect Master.
After his earlier conversation with Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang had begun reflecting seriously on his life.
In the past, everything he did had revolved around one identity:
The son of a Titled Douluo.
He had always wanted to prove himself worthy of that title.
To prove to others—and perhaps even to himself—that he deserved the status and expectations placed upon him.
Now, however, things were different.
He had already completed half of that goal.
The remaining half would naturally take time.
But for the first time, Yu Xiaogang began asking himself an important question:
Without the title of "Yu Yuanzhen's son"…
Who was he really?
What kind of life did he actually want?
After thinking about it carefully, he still didn't have a clear answer.
But one thing was certain.
Becoming Sect Master was absolutely not part of his future plans.
The banquet continued for a while longer.
Yu Yuanzhen brought Yu Xiaogang around to greet several more important guests before the event finally came to an end.
By the time they returned to their temporary residence, both father and son were exhausted.
Yu Xiaogang immediately tore off his formal attire the moment he entered the room.
Compared to those elegant but uncomfortable noble clothes, he greatly preferred his ordinary daily wear.
After changing, he flopped directly onto the soft bed.
"Ahhh…"
The comfortable feeling instantly spread throughout his body.
He didn't even want to move anymore.
Yu Yuanzhen was not much better.
Although he maintained some dignity and didn't collapse onto the bed as dramatically as his son, he still sat heavily nearby and let out a long breath of relief.
Clearly, even a Titled Douluo found social gatherings exhausting.
The following days passed peacefully.
Yu Yuanzhen took Yu Xiaogang around Spirit City to broaden his horizons.
One day, they attended a large-scale auction organized by Spirit Hall.
This auction had attracted countless powerful figures from across the continent because Spirit Hall had publicly announced that a Spirit Bone would appear as the final item.
That single piece of news was enough to drive the entire Douluo Continent crazy.
As soon as they entered the private box reserved for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang curiously began observing the people below.
This was his first time attending such a grand auction.
Naturally, everything felt fresh and exciting.
More importantly, many of the people gathered below were famous figures known throughout the continent.
Yu Xiaogang recognized quite a few of them.
For example, there was a middle-aged man with green hair and beard sitting proudly in one corner.
Dugu Bo.
The famous Poison Douluo.
The possessor of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit.
Not far away sat four middle-aged men together, their expressions serious and imposing.
They were the leaders of the Clear Sky Sect's Four Single Attribute Clans.
Elsewhere, several people wearing distinct uniforms represented the Five Elemental Academies.
Simply attending this auction allowed Yu Xiaogang to recognize many influential figures he had only heard about previously.
The auction itself was incredibly lively.
Treasures were brought out one after another, each more valuable than the last.
Every time an item appeared, fierce bidding wars immediately followed.
The atmosphere in the hall often became incredibly tense.
Some people raised prices calmly.
Others competed so fiercely that it almost looked as though they might start fighting on the spot.
Yu Xiaogang watched everything with great interest.
Finally, the last item appeared.
A Spirit Bone.
The moment it was revealed, the entire hall erupted into noise.
It was a torso Spirit Bone from a spirit beast estimated to be over twenty thousand years old.
Among all Spirit Bone types, torso bones were considered the most valuable because they directly strengthened the core of a Spirit Master's body.
Even Yu Yuanzhen's breathing became slightly heavier upon seeing it.
However, Spirit Hall soon revealed an important detail.
"This Spirit Bone requires a fire-attribute Spirit Master for absorption."
"And not just any fire attribute," the host added calmly. "Only those possessing extremely high-quality fire attributes will be compatible."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Many people cursed under their breath.
Clearly, this requirement eliminated most potential buyers.
In the end, after an intense bidding war, the Spirit Bone was purchased by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Yu Xiaogang finally witnessed firsthand just how wealthy that sect truly was.
Their bids rose as casually as ordinary people spent pocket money.
After the auction ended came the Treasure Exhibition.
Originally, Yu Xiaogang had secretly hoped he might discover some hidden treasure among the displayed items, just like the protagonists in stories.
Unfortunately, reality quickly disappointed him.
Without any special treasure-detecting ability, everything simply looked ordinary to him.
Still, the experience itself was interesting.
What truly shocked him, however, was the behavior of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The moment their people entered the exhibition hall, they began buying treasures almost crazily.
Anything even slightly valuable was purchased immediately.
Their attitude practically screamed:
"We have money. We'll buy everything."
Yu Xiaogang could only stare in amazement.
As expected of the richest sect on the continent.
However, not long afterward, Spirit Hall directly sent people to remove them from the exhibition.
Apparently, their spending spree frightened the organizers.
After all, everyone knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda possessed incredible treasure-appraisal abilities.
If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was buying everything in sight, then perhaps those "ordinary" treasures were actually priceless items.
To avoid suffering massive losses, Spirit Hall decisively kicked them out.
Even while being escorted away, members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School continued shouting indignantly.
"What's wrong? Can't Spirit Hall afford to lose?"
"You people are too petty!"
The entire scene left Yu Xiaogang dumbfounded.
With the auction and exhibition concluded, Yu Yuanzhen's business in Spirit City was finally complete.
He summoned Lin Lang, who had arrived earlier and spent most of the time acting independently.
After introducing him to Yu Xiaogang, Yu Yuanzhen instructed:
"If you encounter any problems in Spirit City in the future, you can look for him."
Yu Xiaogang nodded obediently.
After handling those final matters, there was only one thing left.
Departure.
Yu Yuanzhen would soon return to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang would remain in Spirit City to officially begin his studies at Spirit Hall Academy.
Standing beside the carriage outside their residence, Yu Yuanzhen repeatedly reminded Yu Xiaogang about various precautions.
Although Yu Xiaogang was intelligent and mature for his age, he was still only around ten years old.
As a father, Yu Yuanzhen simply couldn't stop worrying.
"Don't trust strangers too easily."
"If you run into trouble, contact Lin Lang immediately."
"And when it's time for you to obtain your next spirit ring, remember to send me a message. I'll personally accompany you."
Yu Yuanzhen continued endlessly.
Yu Xiaogang felt both helpless and touched.
"Father, you've already repeated all this several times."
"I can practically recite it backward by now."
"Don't worry. I've remembered everything."
Hearing that, Yu Yuanzhen finally quieted down slightly.
He looked at his son silently for a moment.
Then suddenly, he stepped forward and pulled Yu Xiaogang into a tight embrace.
Yu Xiaogang froze briefly.
"Father…"
He felt slightly embarrassed.
After all, he wasn't truly a child mentally.
But he made no effort to struggle free.
Because he could clearly feel the concern and affection hidden within that embrace.
Ever since arriving in this world, Yu Yuanzhen had never treated him poorly.
Whether it was cultivation resources, protection, guidance, or love—
Yu Xiaogang had never lacked anything.
At that moment, he truly felt fortunate.
Fortunate to have become Yu Yuanzhen's son.
After a long while, Yu Yuanzhen finally released him.
Even then, he still couldn't resist giving a few final reminders before boarding the carriage.
The wheels slowly began turning.
Yu Xiaogang stood quietly by the roadside, watching as the carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.
Only after it vanished completely did he slowly take a deep breath.
Leaving the sect.
Leaving his father.
For the first time, he would truly walk his own path.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Spirit Hall Academy…"
"Here I come."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)