After another intense round of combat training, Yu Xiaogang lay flat on the ground, completely exhausted.
His limbs were spread out in all directions, his chest rising and falling heavily with each breath. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his entire body felt as if it had been drained of strength.
On top of him, Xiao Long was no better.
The small dragon sprawled lazily across Yu Xiaogang's stomach, its tiny claws gripping his clothes as it panted. Its eyes were half-closed, clearly unwilling to move even an inch.
The scene of a boy and a dragon lying motionless together was oddly amusing.
Standing nearby, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"You two look like you've just survived a life-and-death battle," he said, shaking his head.
Yu Xiaogang didn't even have the energy to respond.
Only after resting for a while did he slowly push himself up into a sitting position, gently lifting Xiao Long and placing him on his shoulder.
At that moment, Yu Yuanzhen's expression turned more serious.
"Have you thought about what kind of Spirit Beast you want for your second spirit ring?"
This question had been on his mind for days.
Just a few days ago, Yu Xiaogang's spirit power had successfully reached Rank 20.
And to be honest—
That speed had completely exceeded all expectations.
Not just Yu Yuanzhen's.
Even the Sect Elders had been stunned.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had detailed records of cultivation speeds among Spirit Masters, especially those considered geniuses.
For a Spirit Master with full innate spirit power, it typically took two to three years to reach Rank 20 after obtaining their first spirit ring.
That was already considered fast.
But Yu Xiaogang—
Had achieved it in just two years.
And that was after starting with only Rank 1 innate spirit power.
Yes, his cultivation speed had increased significantly after obtaining his first spirit ring due to its unusually high age.
But even so—
This was still absurdly fast.
Almost unbelievable.
Yu Yuanzhen still found it hard to fully accept.
"A dragon-type Spirit Beast," Yu Xiaogang replied after a moment of thought.
His voice was calm, but firm.
"But this time, I don't need to restrict myself too much in terms of attributes."
Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
Yu Xiaogang adjusted Xiao Long on his shoulder and continued.
"After understanding Xiao Long's attributes more clearly, I've narrowed down my options."
"If I were only looking for light-attribute Spirit Beasts, there would be plenty across the continent."
"But what I care about now…"
He paused.
"…is evolution."
His gaze fell on Xiao Long.
"For Xiao Long to truly evolve, the Spirit Beast I choose must still be dragon-type."
"That is my primary condition."
"After that, if the Spirit Beast also has a light attribute, then that would be ideal—but not necessary."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded slowly.
The logic made sense.
In fact, it was a very rational and well-thought-out approach.
But then—
He asked the more critical question.
"What about the age of the spirit ring?"
This was far more important.
After all, Yu Xiaogang's first spirit ring had already been an exception.
A thousand-year spirit ring—
Something no normal Spirit Master would dare attempt at that stage.
Because of that experience, Yu Yuanzhen and the Sect Elders had been closely monitoring Yu Xiaogang's physical condition ever since.
They would regularly assess his body strength and compare it to other Spirit Masters.
And the conclusion they reached—
Was astonishing.
Yu Xiaogang's physical strength had already surpassed that of an ordinary three-ring Spirit Grandmaster.
In fact—
He was very close to the level of a four-ring Spirit Elder.
Every time they thought about this result, the elders couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Back then, when Yu Xiaogang obtained his first spirit ring, Yu Yuanzhen had estimated that his body could handle at most an eight-hundred-year spirit ring.
But Yu Xiaogang had pushed beyond that limit—
And succeeded.
Now, with his current physical condition—
It meant that his second spirit ring could potentially reach a level comparable to a fourth-ring Spirit Elder.
That thought alone was enough to make one's heart race.
"Around four thousand years," Yu Xiaogang said after a brief pause.
Then he added—
"Or up to five thousand years… if Xiao Long helps me share the burden."
He clenched his fist slightly, confidence evident in his expression.
This decision wasn't made impulsively.
He had carefully considered multiple factors before arriving at this conclusion.
Compared to the life-or-death gamble of his first spirit ring—
This was already a much more conservative choice.
With the foundation he had built earlier, there was no need to take such extreme risks again.
Even so—
Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
"A five-thousand-year second spirit ring…"
He stared at Yu Xiaogang for a moment.
Then, half-jokingly, half-seriously, he asked:
"Don't tell me… you're planning to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring for your third ring?"
Yu Xiaogang didn't hesitate.
He nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Of course."
Yu Yuanzhen was speechless.
"Why not?" Yu Xiaogang continued calmly.
"Compared to the danger of my first spirit ring, I'm simply progressing step by step now."
He raised his hand slightly, counting on his fingers.
"Think about it, Father."
"If we ignore the first two spirit rings…"
"My current situation is actually similar to that of a normal Spirit Master."
Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly, listening.
"For ordinary Spirit Masters," Yu Xiaogang explained, "the third spirit ring is usually around a thousand years."
"The fourth is around four thousand years."
"And the fifth reaches ten thousand years."
He looked directly at his father.
"So tell me—"
"Am I not simply cultivating in a normal progression?"
Yu Yuanzhen fell silent.
From a purely logical standpoint—
What Yu Xiaogang said…
Was correct.
But for some reason—
Hearing it phrased that way made him feel strangely uncomfortable.
As if common sense itself had been turned upside down.
"However," Yu Xiaogang added, shifting the topic slightly, "for safety reasons, my choice of Spirit Beast for the second ring needs to be more specific."
Yu Yuanzhen snapped out of his thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
Yu Xiaogang stood up, gently holding Xiao Long in his arms.
"Father, have you forgotten the biggest difference between thousand-year and ten-thousand-year spirit rings?"
Yu Yuanzhen froze for a moment.
Then suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Of course—Soul Shock!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Exactly."
"That is the most critical difference."
He continued calmly:
"When absorbing a spirit ring, a Spirit Master must withstand not only the physical impact of the spirit power…"
"But also the mental impact—the resentment and will of the Spirit Beast itself."
Yu Yuanzhen's expression grew serious.
This was indeed the most dangerous aspect of high-level spirit rings.
"My physical body should be able to handle it by then," Yu Xiaogang said.
"But when it comes to the soul and mental strength…"
He shook his head slightly.
"I've read many books over the years, but there are very few reliable methods to improve them significantly."
"So—"
"I can only compensate through my choice of Spirit Beast."
He gently stroked Xiao Long's head, calming the small dragon.
"My target is a dragon-type Spirit Beast with strong mental attributes."
"If it also has a light attribute, that's even better."
"This way, my second spirit ring can strengthen my soul and mental resistance…"
"And prepare me for the ten-thousand-year spirit ring in the future."
Yu Yuanzhen listened in silence.
At this point—
He had no words left.
"…Forget it."
He sighed and waved his hand.
"When you've decided, just inform me before you set out."
He shook his head with a wry smile.
"As a Titled Douluo, I suddenly feel like my brain doesn't work in front of you."
It was the truth.
Every time he discussed cultivation or theory with Yu Xiaogang—
He felt… inadequate.
As if the vast knowledge he had accumulated over decades meant nothing.
In front of a ten-year-old child—
He felt completely outclassed.
Was he truly lacking?
Or was his son simply too exceptional?
Even Yu Yuanzhen couldn't answer that question.
But one thing was certain—
When he had time, he would visit Ye Hengchuan.
At least in front of that old friend—
He could regain some dignity.
And, of course—
Show off his son.
Every time he saw Ye Hengchuan's expression of envy and disbelief—
Yu Yuanzhen felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
Enough to eat two extra bowls of rice.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)