Black World, Shrek Academy
The moment Yu Xiaogang obtained the external spirit bone, every gaze in Shrek Academy turned toward Tang San.
Not long ago, Tang San himself had acquired an external spirit bone—the Eight Spider Lances.
Originally, everyone believed that witnessing such a treasure once in a lifetime was already an extraordinary stroke of luck.
Who could have expected that they would see another one so soon?
And this time, the owner was none other than Yu Xiaogang's counterpart from another world.
"So, Grandmaster…"
Ning Rongrong clicked her tongue while staring at the heavenly screen.
"Just how many opportunities have you missed?"
Her words struck like arrows.
In their world, Yu Xiaogang would likely never have encountered a Radiant Heavenly Dragon. But to watch another version of himself obtain such a heaven-defying treasure still made everyone feel regret on his behalf.
Even Ning Rongrong, an outsider, felt her heart ache.
As for Yu Xiaogang himself—
His heart was practically bleeding.
An external spirit bone!
Among all treasures on the Douluo Continent, it ranked second only to hundred-thousand-year spirit rings and spirit bones.
If he had listened to his father back then…
If he had chosen a dragon-type soul beast for his first ring…
Would he also have met the Radiant Heavenly Dragon later in life?
The more he thought about it, the more unbearable the regret became.
Smack!
He raised his hand and slapped himself across the face again.
The crisp sound echoed through the room.
No one stepped forward to comfort him.
After all, nearly everyone present felt the same.
It was simply too heartbreaking.
The Heavenly Curtain Continued
Yu Yuanzhen's delighted laughter pulled Yu Xiaogang back to reality.
Through his father's explanation, Yu Xiaogang finally understood what had happened.
He had obtained an external spirit bone.
Although he had once read descriptions of them in books, those texts only spoke in vague terms. Now, he truly understood their value.
He flexed his shoulders uncertainly.
"Can… can this thing be retracted?"
The radiant dragon wings on his back trembled slightly as he spoke.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed again.
"Of course. Mobilize your spirit power and treat them like a natural part of your body. A spirit bone is no different from an extra limb once fused."
As someone who possessed spirit bones himself, Yu Yuanzhen stepped forward and personally guided his son.
Under his father's instruction, Yu Xiaogang slowly circulated his spirit power.
The wings twitched.
Folded inward.
Then vanished into his back.
Yu Xiaogang blinked in amazement.
"It worked!"
"You fortunate brat," Yu Yuanzhen said, shaking his head with envy. "To obtain a treasure like this at such a young age… heaven truly favors you."
Then his expression grew serious.
"It is also fortunate that you were hunting spirits with me. If anyone else had witnessed this just now, they might have attacked immediately."
Yu Xiaogang's joy instantly cooled.
"Doesn't that mean I can't use this spirit bone openly in the future?"
He had no intention of remaining under his father's protection forever.
He wanted to travel the continent, grow stronger, and become a true powerhouse.
But if every spirit master he encountered coveted his treasure, wouldn't revealing it be inviting death?
Yu Yuanzhen thought for a moment before answering.
"Not necessarily."
"You are a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"And more importantly, you are my son."
He straightened proudly.
"Most people on the continent would not dare act against you after learning your identity."
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"However, there are always desperate fools."
"Those from humble backgrounds, rogue cultivators, criminals… such people may not care about consequences."
He looked directly at Yu Xiaogang.
"So until your strength matures, do not reveal it unless absolutely necessary."
Yu Xiaogang nodded solemnly.
He engraved those words in his heart.
The Second Spirit Ring
Once the matter of the spirit bone was settled, Yu Yuanzhen asked the question that interested him most.
"What about your second spirit ring?"
He had expected the absorption process to take far longer.
Based on Yu Xiaogang's first ring, even with better compatibility this time, it should have taken at least half a day—possibly a full day.
Instead, it was completed in just two hours.
Yu Xiaogang immediately understood why.
"That means Little Dragon helped bear the pressure for me."
Closing his eyes, he summoned his martial spirit.
A brilliant light erupted.
Then—
"Awooo!"
A dragon's cry rang through the forest.
Though it still carried a youthful tone, there was now unmistakable majesty within it.
The light faded.
Little Dragon appeared before father and son.
And both men froze.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened.
Yu Yuanzhen rubbed his eyes and stared again, wondering if he had gone blind.
"This…"
"Is this really Little Dragon?"
Yu Xiaogang swallowed.
"Uh… I think so?"
Little Dragon's New Form
The creature before them still had its familiar large bright eyes.
It still recognized Yu Xiaogang instantly.
And the first thing it did was rush forward affectionately.
But instead of leaping into his arms as before, it lowered its head and rubbed its cheek against Yu Xiaogang's face.
Because it was now nearly as tall as he was.
Yu Xiaogang was around one and a half meters tall.
Little Dragon had grown to nearly the same size.
Before today, it had only been as large as a housecat.
When it wanted affection, it usually climbed into his arms or onto his shoulder.
Now?
It was the size of a young beast king.
Its body was longer and more muscular.
Its claws were sharper.
Its scales shone with a faint metallic luster.
The wings on its back were broad and powerful.
Its neck was longer, giving it a noble bearing.
Though still young in appearance, it already possessed the outline of a true dragon.
Yu Yuanzhen circled around it twice in disbelief.
"This is incredible…"
"Only two spirit rings, yet your martial spirit has undergone such a tremendous transformation."
He looked at the creature with burning curiosity.
"If it continues evolving with every ring…"
He turned toward Yu Xiaogang.
"Could it one day become as enormous as the greatest soul beasts?"
Yu Xiaogang placed both hands on Little Dragon's cheeks and grinned confidently.
"It will become even stronger than soul beasts."
His tone was absolute.
How could ordinary soul beasts compare?
Little Dragon was not merely a creature.
It was his martial spirit.
A part of himself.
As long as Yu Xiaogang continued to grow stronger, Little Dragon would surpass all others.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed loudly.
"Good!"
"Then I look forward to that day."
Testing the New Ability
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Now then—show me Little Dragon's second spirit ability."
He rolled his shoulders and stood proudly.
"I'll be your target again."
Yu Xiaogang smirked.
"Then make sure you feel it properly."
With a thought, Little Dragon leapt into the air.
Its newly grown wings beat powerfully, lifting it above Yu Xiaogang's head.
Then the purple second spirit ring lit up brilliantly.
A terrifying pressure spread outward.
Little Dragon opened its jaws wide.
"ROOOAAAR!!!"
The roar shook the surrounding trees.
Leaves fell in waves.
The earth trembled faintly.
Birds fled into the sky in panic.
Yu Yuanzhen, standing directly before the attack, suddenly felt his mind blur.
His spirit power circulation slowed.
His thoughts became sluggish.
For a split second, even he stood dazed.
But the moment he circulated his spirit power forcefully, the effect vanished.
The roar ended.
Little Dragon landed elegantly beside Yu Xiaogang, chest puffed out proudly, clearly waiting for praise.
Yu Xiaogang immediately stroked its head.
"Well done."
Little Dragon happily wagged its tail.
Yu Yuanzhen, meanwhile, was stunned.
Though the effect only lasted a moment on him, he was a top-tier expert.
If this same roar were directed at spirit masters of similar rank to Yu Xiaogang—or weaker—
The results would be devastating.
He opened his mouth.
"What exactly is the ability's effect?"
But before Yu Xiaogang could answer, Yu Yuanzhen's words caught in his throat.
Because he suddenly noticed something even more shocking.
A New Discovery
The grass beneath Little Dragon's feet had withered.
The nearby trees swayed unnaturally.
And the birds that had failed to escape now lay unconscious in the distance.
Yu Yuanzhen's pupils shrank.
The roar had not merely caused mental disruption.
It carried pressure.
Suppression.
Fear.
Even a hint of destructive force.
He slowly turned toward his son.
"Xiaogang…"
"What kind of monster have you awakened?"
Yu Xiaogang blinked, then looked at Little Dragon lovingly.
Little Dragon tilted its head innocently.
It had no idea why everyone was so surprised.
Yu Xiaogang smiled.
"It's not a monster."
He placed a hand on its neck proudly.
"It's my Little Dragon."
Yu Yuanzhen stared at the child before him.
For years, people had called Yu Xiaogang talentless.
A failure.
A disgrace to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yet now—
This so-called failure possessed an external spirit bone, a mutated dragon martial spirit, and abilities that defied common sense.
Yu Yuanzhen suddenly laughed loudly enough to shake the forest.
"Good!"
"Very good!"
"Let those fools keep mocking you."
"One day, they'll kneel in regret!"
Yu Xiaogang raised his chin.
Little Dragon roared proudly beside him.
And in that moment, father and son both knew—
The future of the continent was beginning to change.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)