"To be honest, Sect Master Yu, my spirit power just happened to break through to Rank 80 a few days ago."
Dugu Bo lifted his teacup calmly, though a faint trace of pride still lingered in his eyes.
"I had only just begun searching for information regarding suitable Spirit Beasts…"
"And then your letter arrived."
Hearing this, Yu Yuanzhen looked genuinely surprised.
"Oh?"
"You've already reached Rank 80?"
Even Yu Xiaogang, who sat quietly beside his father, looked somewhat startled.
A Spirit Saint and a Quasi-Spirit Douluo might seem close in rank, but the difference between them was enormous.
Once a Spirit Master crossed Rank 80, they officially stepped into an entirely different realm.
"Hahaha, Elder Dugu is truly worthy of his reputation," Yu Yuanzhen laughed warmly.
Dugu Bo merely waved his hand modestly.
"I was simply fortunate."
However, everyone present understood that luck alone could never create a Quasi-Spirit Douluo.
Talent, perseverance, and opportunity were all indispensable.
Yu Yuanzhen's smile widened slightly.
"In that case, it seems my invitation arrived at the perfect time."
"As long as Elder Dugu successfully obtains the Medusa spirit ring…"
"I believe becoming a Titled Douluo in the future will only be a matter of time."
Naturally, whether Dugu Bo could truly reach that realm remained uncertain.
Still, encouraging words cost nothing.
And as the Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Yu Yuanzhen naturally understood how to win people over.
Dugu Bo smiled faintly but did not respond directly.
Yu Yuanzhen continued calmly.
"Since Elder Dugu has already broken through, then I won't waste time with unnecessary words."
"I believe you understood my intentions the moment you received my letter."
"And since you came here personally…"
"It proves you are not opposed to joining the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo nodded openly.
"That's correct."
"I don't dislike the idea."
"However, let me make one thing clear first."
"If I ever feel dissatisfied here, I reserve the right to leave at any time."
His tone remained calm, but his meaning was obvious.
Dugu Bo disliked restrictions.
Throughout his life, he had always acted according to his own will.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed immediately.
"You can rest assured about that."
"Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect is not the kind of force that only allows people to enter but never leave."
Those words made Dugu Bo visibly relax slightly.
Originally, he had heard countless rumors regarding the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Some said they were overbearing.
Others claimed they valued bloodline superiority above all else.
Still others described them as arrogant beyond reason.
But after speaking personally with Yu Yuanzhen, Dugu Bo found the Sect Master surprisingly easy to communicate with.
At the very least, he didn't feel the suffocating oppression he expected.
The conversation gradually shifted toward more detailed matters.
Yu Yuanzhen discussed the sect's requirements.
Dugu Bo explained his own habits, preferences, and taboos.
Meanwhile, sitting beside them, Yu Xiaogang slowly lost interest.
The negotiations between adults were honestly rather boring.
So instead, he shifted his attention toward the young man seated nearby—
Dugu Xin.
The moment Yu Xiaogang looked over, he realized Dugu Xin had actually been observing him the entire time.
When their eyes met, Dugu Xin immediately smiled politely.
Yu Xiaogang thought for a moment.
Then he stood up calmly and walked toward the courtyard outside.
Before leaving, he casually glanced toward Dugu Xin.
Although no words were spoken, the meaning was obvious.
Want to come?
Dugu Xin instantly understood.
His eyes brightened slightly before he hurriedly stood up and followed behind Yu Xiaogang.
Once the two arrived in the courtyard, Dugu Xin could no longer suppress his curiosity.
"Young Sect Master…"
"I heard that your First Spirit Ring is a thousand-year spirit ring."
"Is that true?"
His tone carried obvious excitement.
Clearly, he had wanted to ask this question for a very long time.
Yu Xiaogang nodded calmly.
"Of course."
However, inwardly, he found the question somewhat outdated.
After all…
A thousand-year First Spirit Ring was old news already.
Now he possessed a thousand-year First Spirit Ring and a ten-thousand-year Third Spirit Ring.
Compared to the latter, the former wasn't even worth mentioning anymore.
Still, Dugu Xin obviously didn't know that.
Hearing Yu Xiaogang confirm it personally, he immediately inhaled sharply.
"Hiss…"
Even though the rumors had spread throughout the continent, personally hearing confirmation still shocked him tremendously.
A thousand-year First Spirit Ring completely overturned common sense.
Normal Spirit Masters could barely endure a hundred-year ring for their first absorption.
Yet Yu Xiaogang had directly skipped into the thousand-year realm.
It sounded absurd.
"Could…"
"Could you let me see it with my own eyes?"
Dugu Xin's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Clearly, unless he witnessed it personally, he would never truly feel satisfied.
Yu Xiaogang looked at him briefly before nodding casually.
"Sure."
"Why not?"
After all, Dugu Bo was already preparing to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
That made Dugu Xin practically one of their own already.
There was no need to hide such things.
Meanwhile, back inside the reception hall, the negotiations between Yu Yuanzhen and Dugu Bo had finally reached their conclusion.
"…Then it's settled."
"Our Dugu Family is willing to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."
Dugu Bo spoke calmly.
Hearing those words, Yu Yuanzhen immediately burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Excellent!"
"From today onward, Elder Dugu and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect are one family!"
"I guarantee you will never regret today's decision."
To be honest, Dugu Bo himself found the sect's conditions unexpectedly lenient.
Most large factions possessed extremely strict rules for external recruits.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, for example, often demanded that talented children from affiliated families be sent directly to the sect for education.
In reality, it was a disguised method of control.
The Clear Sky Sect was even worse.
Their arrogance was famous throughout the continent.
Many affiliated members were treated little better than servants.
Yet throughout the entire negotiation, Yu Yuanzhen never once mentioned such conditions.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect seemed strangely confident.
Almost as though they believed they could naturally earn loyalty without relying on coercion.
That alone gave Dugu Bo a surprisingly good impression.
Yu Yuanzhen smiled warmly.
"Since our discussion is complete…"
"When does Elder Dugu plan to obtain his spirit ring?"
"If necessary, I can personally lead a team to assist you."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo glanced outside at the clear weather.
"Tomorrow morning."
"My condition has been excellent recently."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded immediately.
"Very well."
"Then tomorrow morning, we'll meet at the teahouse near Heaven Dou City's eastern gate."
"Agreed."
Dugu Bo stood up and cupped his fists respectfully.
"Then I shall take my leave for now, Sect Master."
From this day onward, the Emerald Serpent Dugu lineage would officially stand alongside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Yu Yuanzhen also rose with a smile.
"Allow me to escort you out."
Honestly, Yu Yuanzhen was in an exceptionally good mood.
Without fighting.
Without threatening.
Without sacrificing anything substantial.
He had successfully recruited a Quasi-Spirit Douluo.
And not just any Quasi-Spirit Douluo—
But Dugu Bo, whose large-scale poison abilities were practically heaven-defying in battlefield warfare.
This deal was simply too profitable.
The two walked together toward the courtyard outside.
However, after arriving outside, Dugu Bo suddenly realized something.
Where was his son?
Just as he was about to ask, Yu Yuanzhen casually summoned a nearby servant.
"Where is Elder Dugu's son?"
The servant quickly bowed respectfully.
"Young Master Dugu followed the Young Sect Master toward the Training Ground."
Yu Yuanzhen blinked slightly.
"The Training Ground?"
The servant nodded.
"Young Master Dugu wanted to see the Young Sect Master's spirit ring."
"So after chatting for a while, they headed there together."
Hearing this, Yu Yuanzhen waved his hand dismissively, signaling the servant to leave.
Then he smiled toward Dugu Bo.
"It seems your son is quite hardworking."
Dugu Bo laughed modestly.
"Hahaha…"
"Compared to Young Sect Master Xiaogang, he still has a long way to go."
Then, after hesitating briefly, Dugu Bo spoke again.
"Actually…"
"If possible, I'd also like to witness it personally."
"The thousand-year First Spirit Ring…"
"When I first heard about it, I thought it was merely some exaggerated rumor."
"To think it was actually true."
His expression became somewhat complicated.
"To be honest, I was so shocked back then that I accidentally crushed my favorite teacup."
Yu Yuanzhen immediately burst into laughter again.
"Hahaha!"
"That's completely understandable."
After all, every Spirit Master who heard such news reacted similarly.
A thousand-year First Spirit Ring completely shattered traditional understanding.
Who wouldn't be shocked?
Still…
Yu Yuanzhen secretly found the situation rather amusing.
Because the information Dugu Bo possessed was already outdated.
Now his son's achievements were even more monstrous.
If Dugu Bo learned that Yu Xiaogang possessed a ten-thousand-year Third Spirit Ring as well…
His reaction would probably become even more dramatic.
"Come then."
"Let's go take a look."
Yu Yuanzhen led the way cheerfully toward the Training Ground.
Not long afterward, the two finally arrived.
However—
The moment they stepped inside, both men froze slightly.
Especially Dugu Bo.
His pupils contracted instantly.
The scene before them was far different from what either had expected.
On the Training Ground…
Dugu Xin lay flat on the ground in a miserable spread-eagle position.
His entire body was drenched in sweat.
His chest rose and fell violently as he gasped for breath.
He looked utterly exhausted.
Meanwhile, not far away—
Yu Xiaogang sat calmly in a chair beneath the shade.
One leg rested casually atop the other.
A book remained open in his hands as though nothing unusual had happened.
The contrast between the two figures was almost absurd.
Dugu Bo stared blankly at his son.
Then at Yu Xiaogang.
Then back at his son again.
For a brief moment, the usually calm Poison Douluo candidate genuinely struggled to process what he was seeing.
"What…"
"…exactly happened here?"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)