"So, this treasure map belongs to me now?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up with interest as he examined the newly acquired item.
Reaching into his storage soul tool, he retrieved the Spirit Saint's diary and carefully flipped through its pages. After a few moments of searching, he found what he was looking for.
A faded yellow sheet of parchment.
The paper was old, its edges worn by time, yet the markings on it remained surprisingly clear.
It was a treasure map.
Although the drawing itself was simple, it contained enough details to identify the destination.
Yu Xiaogang studied it for a while before shaking his head.
"It's been so many years. Who knows whether the treasure is still there?"
The Douluo Continent was a world filled with countless opportunities and dangers.
Many treasures disappeared over time.
Some were discovered by lucky adventurers.
Others were claimed by powerful spirit beasts.
And some simply vanished into history.
Regardless, Yu Xiaogang wasn't in a hurry.
He carefully stored the map back inside his storage soul tool.
"When I go to Sunset Forest in the future, I'll take a look."
With that decision made, he quickly put the matter aside.
After all, he still had more important things to focus on.
For the next several months, Yu Xiaogang returned to his usual routine.
Study.
Cultivate.
Research.
Cultivate.
Every day followed nearly the same schedule.
However, one new activity had been added to his life.
Spirit Arena battles.
Together with Bibi Dong, he regularly participated in spirit fighting matches, gaining valuable combat experience while steadily increasing his practical skills.
During this period, life was relatively peaceful.
At least, peaceful by Yu Xiaogang's standards.
Unfortunately, peace never lasted long.
Not long after the Blood Hand incident, two additional groups attempted to kidnap him.
Fortunately, neither group was particularly impressive.
Unlike Blood Hand's organization, these were merely ordinary rogue spirit masters blinded by greed.
Their strength was mediocre.
Their planning was terrible.
And their intelligence was even worse.
As a result, Lin Lang didn't even need to intervene.
Yu Xiaogang handled both incidents personally.
The battles ended quickly.
Afterward, he followed his established habit.
Loot first.
Ask questions later.
Sadly, these kidnappers were far poorer than Blood Hand's group.
After searching their belongings, Yu Xiaogang discovered nothing particularly valuable.
Only a few gold soul coins.
That was all.
When Bibi Dong learned about the disappointing rewards, she remained unhappy for several days.
In her opinion, risking their lives should at least result in decent profits.
Otherwise, the entire experience felt like a waste of time.
Meanwhile, another matter was unfolding within Spirit Hall.
The spirit bone obtained after the Blood Hand incident had originally been intended as a reward for Bibi Dong.
Qian Xunji personally planned to present it to his disciple.
After all, she was his direct successor.
Yet something unexpected happened.
Bibi Dong refused.
When the news spread, everyone was stunned.
Including Qian Xunji himself.
No one had anticipated such a reaction.
After all, spirit bones were among the rarest treasures on the continent.
Countless spirit masters dreamed of obtaining even one.
Yet Bibi Dong rejected it without hesitation.
Naturally, Qian Xunji demanded an explanation.
Only after questioning her did he discover the reason.
It was related to Yu Xiaogang.
More specifically, it was related to something Yu Xiaogang had said.
Yu Xiaogang firmly believed that spirit bones should match their owners as closely as possible.
Otherwise, the benefits would be limited.
Originally, Bibi Dong hadn't thought much about this idea.
But after hearing his reasoning, she gradually became convinced.
She wanted to surpass Yu Xiaogang.
At the very least, she didn't want to fall behind him.
If Yu Xiaogang refused spirit bones that weren't perfectly suited to him, then how could she casually absorb one simply because it was available?
What if it only provided a minor increase in strength?
Wouldn't that be a waste?
As a result, Bibi Dong firmly rejected the reward.
Qian Xunji nearly laughed after hearing her reasoning.
"Waiting for a perfectly compatible spirit bone?"
"He truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
In Qian Xunji's opinion, Yu Xiaogang had been spoiled by Yu Yuanzhen.
Most spirit masters would spend their entire lives without seeing a spirit bone.
Yet Yu Xiaogang was being selective.
It was ridiculous.
Even so, Qian Xunji spent considerable time trying to persuade Bibi Dong.
Unfortunately, she refused to change her mind.
Once Bibi Dong made a decision, convincing her otherwise was nearly impossible.
In the end, Qian Xunji had no choice but to choose another recipient.
After considering several candidates, the reward ultimately fell into Yue Guan's hands.
Dragon Scale Douluo and Iron Wall Douluo already possessed spirit bones in the corresponding position.
Therefore, the opportunity naturally went to Yue Guan.
The moment he received the spirit bone, Yue Guan almost burst into tears.
"Thank you, Your Holiness!"
His voice trembled with excitement.
For the first time in his life, he possessed a spirit bone of his own.
A dream countless spirit masters could only envy.
While thanking Qian Xunji repeatedly, Yue Guan couldn't help but think of another person.
Yu Xiaogang.
Without Yu Xiaogang, none of this would have happened.
If Yu Xiaogang hadn't been targeted, Blood Hand's group would never have appeared.
Without the battle, the spirit bone wouldn't have been discovered.
And without Yu Xiaogang's philosophy, Bibi Dong would never have rejected it.
Looking at it from every angle, Yue Guan owed Yu Xiaogang a tremendous favor.
After much thought, he made a decision.
"Didn't he mention being interested in ancient texts?"
A smile appeared on Yue Guan's face.
"I'll make a copy and send them to him."
Thus, sometime later, Yu Xiaogang unexpectedly received a valuable collection of copied ancient records from Yue Guan.
At the time, he simply regarded it as an interesting gift.
Only much later would he realize how useful those texts truly were.
Of course, that was a story for another day.
Three months after sending a letter to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Yu Xiaogang finally received a response.
The contents immediately lifted his spirits.
After learning about the Radiant Elemental Dragon living within Sunset Forest, Yu Yuanzhen personally traveled there.
The search took time.
But eventually, the target was found.
Even more surprisingly, the spirit beast had already surpassed the ten-thousand-year threshold.
It was now a genuine Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
Among spirit beasts of similar age, the Radiant Elemental Dragon was exceptionally powerful.
Within Sunset Forest, it could easily be considered a regional overlord.
Unfortunately for it, the Radiant Elemental Dragon encountered Yu Yuanzhen.
And Yu Yuanzhen was far stronger.
After an intense battle, the spirit beast was captured alive.
Rather than killing it immediately, Yu Yuanzhen arranged for trusted experts from the sect to guard it near the forest.
The beast would remain alive until Yu Xiaogang reached Level 30.
Then it would become his third spirit ring.
When Yu Xiaogang received the news, he was ecstatic.
For several consecutive days, a smile never left his face.
A ten-thousand-year Radiant Elemental Dragon.
Just imagining the future spirit ring made him excited.
As a result, his cultivation became even more intense.
Every spare moment was dedicated to meditation.
Study time decreased dramatically.
This development caused Little Dragon considerable dissatisfaction.
Compared to reading books and conducting research, Little Dragon greatly preferred cultivation.
Still, even it couldn't stop Yu Xiaogang's determination.
Day after day.
Week after week.
His spirit power steadily increased.
Finally, shortly after celebrating his twelfth birthday, the breakthrough arrived.
Level 30.
Feeling the powerful surge of spirit power flowing through his body, Yu Xiaogang slowly clenched his fist.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Finally."
"I've reached Level 30."
Beside him, Little Dragon blinked curiously.
Yu Xiaogang laughed and rubbed its head.
The small dragon immediately narrowed its eyes in satisfaction before curling up comfortably against his chest.
Looking at it, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help smiling.
"Based on what happened after my first and second spirit rings, you'll probably grow bigger again this time."
"When that happens, you won't be able to hide in my arms anymore."
Little Dragon tilted its head.
Clearly, it had no interest in such complicated concerns.
The future was the future.
The present was what mattered.
Seeing its reaction, Yu Xiaogang laughed.
After confirming his breakthrough, he immediately submitted a leave request to the academy.
The next step was obvious.
Obtaining his third spirit ring.
Following Yu Yuanzhen's earlier instructions, he first sent a letter back to the sect.
Once the message was delivered, Yu Yuanzhen would personally travel to Sunset Forest to oversee the process.
With everything prepared, Yu Xiaogang and Lin Lang rented a carriage and prepared to depart.
Unfortunately, things rarely went according to plan.
Just as the carriage was about to leave the city, a familiar figure suddenly appeared.
Dressed in practical travel clothes, Bibi Dong stood directly in front of the carriage.
Her expression was completely serious.
Yu Xiaogang immediately felt a headache coming on.
Bibi Dong crossed her arms.
"I'm coming with you."
Yu Xiaogang blinked.
"...What?"
"I want to witness the process of you obtaining your third spirit ring."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Yu Xiaogang rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Looking at the determined girl blocking the road, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Your Holiness the Pope...
Do you have any idea that your disciple is running away from Spirit Hall again?
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