A few days later, after everyone had fully recovered, the group finally set out for the Star Dou Great Forest.
Yu Yuanzhen led the team, accompanied by the Grand Elder and Lin Lang.
As for Bibi Dong...
She remained behind in the city.
She had no objections to the arrangement.
Originally, she had only wanted to witness Yu Xiaogang absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring as his third ring.
Now that she had seen it with her own eyes, there was no reason for her to follow them any further.
With everything prepared, the group headed straight for the Star Dou Great Forest.
Since their destination had already been decided, they traveled directly toward it.
Even so, they remained alert throughout the journey, keeping an eye out for any Spirit Beast suitable for the Grand Elder.
Unfortunately...
Even after traveling deep into the forest, they failed to find a suitable target.
Finally, Yu Yuanzhen took out a map and carefully examined it.
"According to the map..."
"It should be somewhere around here."
After confirming the location, he folded the map and put it away.
The Grand Elder nodded.
"Search carefully."
"And stay alert."
"We can't let that creature ambush us."
The Radiant Evernight Beast possessed two completely different combat styles.
By switching freely between the Light and Darkness attributes, it could completely alter the way it fought.
When using its Darkness Attribute, it fought much like an agility-type Spirit Master, specializing in stealth, speed, and assassination.
That was precisely why so many people had accompanied Yu Xiaogang this time.
Although Yu Yuanzhen alone possessed more than enough strength to suppress the beast...
If he were distracted for even a single moment and the Radiant Evernight Beast managed to launch a surprise attack against Yu Xiaogang...
The consequences would be disastrous.
With that in mind, the group began their search.
Everyone present except Yu Xiaogang possessed years of experience hunting Spirit Beasts.
Tiny traces that ordinary people would overlook immediately revealed valuable information to them.
As they searched...
Yu Yuanzhen patiently explained each clue to his son.
Although Yu Xiaogang had already participated in several Spirit Hunts...
There was still a tremendous amount he didn't know.
Every explanation from his father felt fresh and enlightening.
Learning something new always brought excitement.
Following the subtle traces left behind by the Spirit Beast...
It didn't take them long to locate their target.
"There it is."
The group concealed themselves atop a small hill and looked down into the forest below.
Not far away...
The Radiant Evernight Beast was sleeping peacefully.
Its body was pitch black.
Even beneath the bright sunlight, it seemed to absorb every ray of light around it.
From a distance...
It resembled a miniature black hole.
Yu Xiaogang carefully observed the beast.
"Four powerful legs..."
"A wolf's head..."
"A rhinoceros horn..."
"A horse's body..."
"Dragon scales..."
"And a tiger's tail..."
"What a bizarre creature."
He continued examining its appearance.
"When it's using its Darkness Attribute..."
"There are three white markings along its back."
"That means it's over thirty thousand years old."
Yu Xiaogang unconsciously clenched his fists.
His heart was filled with anticipation.
Under normal circumstances...
A Spirit Master's fourth Spirit Ring was usually around five thousand years.
The sixth Spirit Ring generally reached around twenty thousand years.
Yet...
His fourth Spirit Ring would already surpass the Spirit Rings of most sixth-ring Spirit Emperors.
With a Spirit Ring configuration like that...
How could anyone of the same cultivation level hope to compete with him?
Yu Yuanzhen glanced at his excited son and smiled faintly.
"I'll be right back."
The moment he finished speaking...
His Martial Spirit was released.
His body transformed into the mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and he descended directly beside the sleeping Radiant Evernight Beast.
ROAR!!
Startled awake...
The Radiant Evernight Beast immediately let out an earth-shaking roar.
The once-silent forest instantly erupted with noise.
Without the slightest hesitation...
The beast charged directly toward Yu Yuanzhen.
Any Spirit Beast capable of surviving for over thirty thousand years in the Star Dou Great Forest possessed extraordinary combat strength.
Unfortunately...
Today...
It had encountered a Level 97 Titled Douluo.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed.
"Hoho..."
"Instead of running away..."
"You actually chose to attack me?"
"Your courage deserves praise."
Even before attacking...
Yu Yuanzhen had already released his overwhelming aura.
With a Spirit Beast's sharp instincts...
The Radiant Evernight Beast should have sensed just how overwhelming the difference in strength truly was.
Yet...
It still chose to fight.
Although reckless...
Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help admiring its courage.
Sadly...
Courage alone could never overcome absolute strength.
Only a short battle followed.
Soon afterward...
The dying Radiant Evernight Beast was dragged before Yu Xiaogang.
Without hesitation...
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward.
Drawing his weapon...
He delivered the finishing blow.
As the beast's life faded...
A deep black Spirit Ring slowly rose into the air, radiating waves of mysterious light.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath.
Silently, he prayed within his heart.
"Please..."
"Let it be Light-Dark Conversion."
"It has to be Light-Dark Conversion."
After offering his silent prayer...
He sat down cross-legged.
The black Spirit Ring slowly descended around him.
He immediately began absorbing it.
Watching the process begin, the Grand Elder couldn't help asking,
"Sect Master..."
"Do you think Xiaogang will obtain the Radiant Evernight Beast's signature ability?"
If Yu Xiaogang truly inherited Light-Dark Conversion...
The Grand Elder genuinely couldn't think of a single Martial Spirit on the entire Douluo Continent capable of perfectly countering both opposing attributes.
Yu Yuanzhen smiled confidently.
"With Xiaogang's luck..."
"As long as nothing unexpected happens..."
"He'll definitely get what he wants."
He then chuckled.
"What I'm actually curious about..."
"Is whether another Spirit Bone will drop."
By now...
Yu Yuanzhen had fully accepted that his son was blessed by fate itself.
He wasn't worried in the slightest about Yu Xiaogang's chances of obtaining the desired Spirit Ability.
Instead...
He wondered whether fortune would bless them once again with another Spirit Bone.
The Grand Elder shook his head.
"I don't think that's likely."
"We've already obtained far too many Spirit Bones recently."
"Besides..."
"We're planning to secure a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast for Xiaogang in the future."
"As everyone knows..."
"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast always drops a Spirit Bone."
"If Xiaogang fills every Spirit Bone slot now..."
"He might not be able to absorb that Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Bone later."
Everything regarding Yu Xiaogang's future had already been carefully planned.
No matter what...
They intended to secure a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring for him.
With Yu Xiaogang's current Spirit Ring configuration...
Anything less simply wasn't worthy of him.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed loudly.
"Hahaha..."
"Grand Elder..."
"You're thinking much farther ahead than I am."
"Actually, I also—"
His voice suddenly stopped.
His expression instantly changed.
"Who's there?!"
The sudden shout startled everyone.
The Grand Elder and Lin Lang immediately entered combat stance, following Yu Yuanzhen's gaze toward the nearby forest.
On the branch of a towering tree...
A young woman quietly stood hidden among the leaves.
She had concealed her aura so perfectly that none of them had noticed her until now.
Seeing that she was human...
The Grand Elder and Lin Lang instinctively relaxed.
Humans...
Were far easier to deal with than unknown Spirit Beasts.
However...
In the very next moment...
Yu Yuanzhen's expression grew even more serious.
Instead of lowering his guard...
He stared at the mysterious woman with intense vigilance.
For someone to approach him so closely without being detected...
No ordinary human on the Douluo Continent possessed such ability.
And considering they were deep inside the Star Dou Great Forest...
There could only be one explanation.
Yu Yuanzhen slowly narrowed his eyes.
"You..."
"Are a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Spirit Beast!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)