"How did your Spirit Power increase so quickly?"
Bibi Dong stared at Yu Xiaogang with a bewildered expression, unable to hide the disbelief in her eyes.
Seeing the usually confident genius so confused, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help smiling inwardly.
It was surprisingly satisfying to see someone as talented as Bibi Dong questioning her own understanding of cultivation.
At the same time, he understood exactly how she felt.
When they first met, Bibi Dong had been far ahead of him in cultivation.
Now...
He had surpassed her in a single leap.
If she had been an ordinary Spirit Master, it wouldn't have mattered much.
But Bibi Dong was a once-in-a-generation genius.
Being overtaken by someone who had once lagged so far behind her was enough to make anyone question themselves.
Yu Xiaogang smiled casually.
"I was fortunate enough to obtain an incredibly powerful heavenly treasure."
"If you've ever read those legends about defying fate, you've probably seen similar treasures mentioned."
"They're often described alongside Spirit Bones..."
"But they're far rarer."
There was nothing worth hiding.
Heaven and Earth Treasures capable of completely changing a person's destiny had always existed in the records of the Douluo Continent.
Spirit Bones were already unimaginably rare.
These treasures were even rarer.
They depended entirely on fate.
Who could have imagined that somewhere on the continent there existed an entire paradise filled with such priceless treasures?
Bibi Dong looked genuinely surprised.
"A Heaven and Earth Treasure...?"
A trace of disappointment soon appeared in her eyes.
If that was truly the reason...
Then there was no way she could catch up by following the same path.
Spirit Bones could occasionally be obtained through effort or luck.
But Heaven and Earth Treasures...
Those were opportunities that simply couldn't be forced.
Did that mean she would always remain behind him now?
The thought left her unwilling to accept reality.
She had once been nearly ten ranks ahead of Yu Xiaogang.
Now...
Not only had he surpassed her in battle strength...
Even the Spirit Power she had once taken pride in had fallen behind.
So who exactly was the true once-in-a-century genius?
Feeling completely defeated, Bibi Dong quietly climbed into the carriage and sat alone in the corner.
She absentmindedly traced circles on the seat with her finger, immersed in her gloomy thoughts.
---
Sitting across from her, Yu Yuanzhen happened to notice her dejected appearance.
He smiled and gently shook his head.
This is only the beginning.
When my son finally reveals everything without needing to hide anything...
That's when everyone will truly be shocked.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Yu Yuanzhen began recalling the younger generation of geniuses across the Douluo Continent.
"To be honest..."
"In this entire generation..."
"Bibi Dong is probably the only one qualified to stand on the same stage as Xiaogang."
As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School...
He hadn't heard of any outstanding young talents.
Then there were the so-called Haotian Twin Stars, whom the Clear Sky Sect had spent years promoting.
In Yu Yuanzhen's eyes...
They possessed some talent.
But only some.
Compared with his son...
Their greatest advantage was simply being a few years older.
If they had been born in the same generation...
They wouldn't even be worthy of polishing Yu Xiaogang's shoes.
Judging by his son's astonishing growth rate...
Yu Yuanzhen was convinced that even with the age difference, Yu Xiaogang would eventually surpass both of them.
As for Spirit Hall...
Its greatest prodigy of this generation was naturally Bibi Dong.
There were also occasional rumors about gifted independent Spirit Masters appearing throughout the continent.
Perhaps one or two of those stories were true.
Even so...
None of them could compare with his son.
Taking everything into consideration...
Yu Yuanzhen firmly believed that the future two strongest Spirit Masters of this generation would be—
Yu Xiaogang.
And Bibi Dong.
---
The only remaining question was...
Who would ultimately become stronger?
His son possessed Little Dragon as his Martial Spirit.
He had an unprecedented Spirit Ring configuration.
He also possessed Martial Spirit Possession comparable to a Martial Spirit Fusion Technique.
With all those advantages combined...
An ordinary Titled Douluo wouldn't stand a chance against him in the future.
As for Bibi Dong...
She possessed Twin Martial Spirits.
If she eventually solved the problem of cultivating both Martial Spirits...
And successfully attached all eighteen Spirit Rings...
Even Yu Yuanzhen couldn't predict how powerful she would become.
"It seems..."
"Unless something unexpected happens..."
"The future of the Douluo Continent will belong to these two children."
Looking at the pair sitting quietly inside the carriage, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help feeling emotional.
Who would have imagined that these two ten-year-old children would one day stand at the very peak of the continent?
---
Then another thought crossed his mind.
Their relationship...
That was the truly troublesome issue.
Anyone paying close attention could tell there was something special between them.
Bibi Dong had secretly left Spirit Hall without informing her teacher.
She had willingly followed Yu Xiaogang into Sunset Forest just to watch him absorb his Third Spirit Ring.
Entrusting her life so completely to someone else...
Meant she instinctively believed he would never harm her.
Yu Xiaogang's attitude toward Bibi Dong was equally revealing.
When he demonstrated his Martial Spirit Possession earlier...
He hadn't tried to hide it from her.
Nor had he driven her away.
Subconsciously...
He already regarded her as one of his own.
The two of them trusted each other completely.
And in the future...
Both were destined to become the strongest beings on the Douluo Continent.
If their feelings continued developing...
Once they grew up...
Who could possibly stop them if they chose to be together?
Yu Yuanzhen scratched his head helplessly.
"It probably won't come to that..."
His son was intelligent.
Surely he understood how troublesome it would be if the future leaders of two great powers became deeply entangled.
And Yu Xiaogang hated unnecessary complications.
The easiest way to avoid future conflict...
Was simply not allowing their relationship to grow too deep.
After another glance at the two children...
Yu Yuanzhen relaxed.
They're both smart.
Eventually...
They'll realize the situation themselves.
When that day comes...
They'll naturally create some distance between each other.
Satisfied with that conclusion, he stopped worrying about them.
---
Instead...
He turned his attention inward.
His consciousness entered a mysterious space where a faint strand of the Power of Destruction floated quietly before him.
"This..."
"Is what I truly need to focus on."
He released a bolt of lightning toward it.
Just as expected...
Nothing happened.
Yu Yuanzhen wasn't disappointed.
He had long prepared himself for the possibility that mastering this power might require ten years...
Twenty years...
Or even several decades.
---
Time passed peacefully.
Some cultivated.
Some relaxed.
The journey continued without incident.
Eventually...
The group's carriage arrived at a small town outside the Star Dou Great Forest.
After renting a spacious courtyard, everyone stepped down from the carriage.
They stretched their stiff muscles after the long journey.
Yu Yuanzhen waved his hand.
"Alright."
"We'll stay here for a few days."
"Once everyone has fully recovered..."
"We'll enter the Star Dou Great Forest."
No one objected.
Everyone quietly accepted the plan.
Returning to his room, Yu Xiaogang lay down on the bed.
His thoughts were already racing ahead.
Soon...
He would obtain his Fourth Spirit Ring.
He couldn't help wondering...
What kind of transformation awaited him afterward?
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)