[After reading the contents of the letter, Dugu Bo abruptly rose from his seat.]
[His face was filled with excitement and joy.]
[Dugu Xin, who had been standing nearby, noticed his father's unusual reaction and asked curiously,]
"Father, what does the letter say?"
[Dugu Bo looked up with a broad smile.]
"Hahaha! Xin'er, my eighth spirit ring is finally within reach!"
["Your spirit ring is within reach?"]
"Did His Excellency Thunder and the others discover a Spirit Beast suitable for you, Father?"
[Curious, Dugu Xin stepped forward and reached for the letter.]
[Without hesitation, Dugu Bo handed it to him.]
The letter read:
«To Dugu Soul Sage of the Dugu Family,
I have learned that your spirit power is nearing Rank 80. Allow me to congratulate you in advance on becoming a Spirit Douluo.
My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect has recently discovered traces of a sixty-thousand-year Medusa Spirit Beast.
This Medusa differs from ordinary ones. Its poison has reached the level of Spirit Beasts that specialize in toxins of the same rank.
If Dugu Soul Sage is interested in this Medusa, you are welcome to visit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's residence in Heaven Dou City so we may discuss the matter in person.
— Yu Yuanzhen, Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect»
[After finishing the letter, Dugu Xin's eyes widened with excitement.]
"A Medusa... It's actually a sixty-thousand-year Medusa!"
"Father, if you obtain its spirit ring, your cultivation limit will definitely increase!"
[Given the nature of their Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Spirit, Dugu Xin couldn't think of a more suitable Spirit Beast on the entire Douluo Continent, other than a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast.]
[If Dugu Bo successfully absorbed the sixty-thousand-year Medusa spirit ring, the bottleneck that had restricted his future growth might finally be broken.]
[No one knew exactly how much stronger he could become.]
[However, as an eight-ring Spirit Douluo, there was even a chance that he could eventually step into the realm of a Titled Douluo.]
[Dugu Bo slowly nodded before speaking with a complicated expression.]
"That's true... but accepting this offer would likely mean that our Dugu Family becomes a subordinate of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."
[He understood perfectly well that Yu Yuanzhen would never offer information about such a precious Spirit Beast without expecting something in return.]
[And what could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect possibly want from the Dugu Family?]
[Nothing except Dugu Bo's strength and the future potential of the Dugu Family.]
[After a brief silence, Dugu Xin spoke calmly.]
"Actually... becoming a subordinate of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect isn't a bad thing."
"Since we also possess Beast Spirits, joining them would allow us to interact with countless top-tier Beast Spirit families."
[His words were not merely meant to comfort his father—they were the truth.]
[As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect possessed the world's strongest Beast Martial Spirit.]
[Because of its reputation, Beast Spirit Masters from across the continent frequently visited the sect.]
[The sect also actively recruited families that inherited powerful Beast Spirits.]
[Every few years, it even hosted a grand Beast Spirit Research and Exchange Conference.]
[Experts gathered there to discuss Beast Spirit cultivation, spirit ring combinations, and future development.]
[It was an event every Beast Spirit Master on the continent dreamed of attending.]
[Unfortunately, only members or affiliated families of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect were qualified to participate.]
[Dugu Xin continued,]
"Besides, during the past two years, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect has become the center of attention throughout the Douluo Continent."
"There's Young Master Yu Xiaogang, whose first spirit ring reached a thousand years..."
"...and the mysterious medicine capable of increasing the age limit of spirit rings that a Spirit Master can absorb."
"If we want access to that medicine, we either have to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect or wait until they decide to sell it publicly."
"But by then, the entire continent will be competing for it."
[As he spoke about Yu Xiaogang and the miraculous medicine, longing filled Dugu Xin's eyes.]
[A thousand-year first spirit ring...]
[If he had possessed such an opportunity back then—or even an eight- or nine-hundred-year first spirit ring—his current achievements would have been far greater.]
[Although Dugu Bo didn't notice the expression on his son's face, he could easily guess what he was thinking.]
[After all, what Spirit Master wouldn't desire such a miraculous treasure?]
[After a long silence, Dugu Bo finally made his decision.]
"Very well."
"As long as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect offers reasonable conditions and shows sufficient sincerity..."
"...our Dugu Family will join them."
[A few days later, Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin arrived outside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's residence in Heaven Dou City.]
[Yu Yuanzhen personally came out to welcome them with a warm smile.]
"Hahaha! Dugu Soul Sage, your arrival is a great honor. Please forgive me for not greeting you sooner."
[As he spoke, Yu Yuanzhen enthusiastically grasped Dugu Bo's hand.]
"Hiss..."
[Although Dugu Bo maintained a calm expression, the corner of his mouth twitched noticeably.]
[The strength behind Yu Yuanzhen's handshake was unbelievable.]
[It felt as though an iron vise had clamped tightly around his hand.]
[Noticing Dugu Bo's reaction, Yu Yuanzhen quickly released his grip with an embarrassed smile.]
"My apologies."
"I've recently made a small breakthrough and haven't fully adjusted to my new strength yet."
[Over the past two days, Yu Yuanzhen had completely removed the Medusa's poison from his body, recovered from his injuries, and successfully absorbed two Spirit Bones.]
[One was an eighty-thousand-year torso bone.]
[The other was a thirty-thousand-year skull bone.]
[The improvements brought by these two Spirit Bones were astonishing.]
[Originally, Yu Yuanzhen had been Rank 93.]
[After absorbing both Spirit Bones, his spirit power leaped directly to Rank 96.]
[He had officially entered the realm of Peak Douluo.]
[The increase was so tremendous—especially because the eighty-thousand-year torso bone dramatically strengthened his physique—that he temporarily struggled to control his own power.]
[Yu Yuanzhen laughed happily as he spoke.]
"Thinking about it now... just a few days ago I was only Rank 93."
"Now I've reached Rank 96."
"Who wouldn't be happy after such an improvement?"
[During the past two days, the Grand Elder had actually fainted twice from excitement.]
[The first time was after learning about the incredible treasures obtained during their expedition.]
[The second time was after hearing that Yu Yuanzhen had advanced all the way to Rank 96 after absorbing the Spirit Bones.]
[Once he finally recovered, the Grand Elder spent his days chasing after Yu Xiaogang, eager to shower him with gratitude and affection.]
[After all, everything the sect had gained stemmed from Yu Xiaogang's contributions.]
[Unfortunately, the Grand Elder's enthusiasm proved a little overwhelming.]
[As a result, Yu Xiaogang had been deliberately avoiding him for the past several days.]
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)